Dedicated blood donors from Dorset have been recognised for rolling up their sleeves to help save lives.

They were honoured at an awards event held by NHS Blood and Transplant at the Lifeboat College, Poole.

A total of 53 donors from Dorset each received crystal awards for either 75 and 100 blood don-ations.

Guest speaker John Elliott, of Frampton, needed blood and plasma after being diagnosed with acute myleoid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer in March 2011 and had two rounds of chemotherapy in Poole, followed by a stem cell transplant in Southampton in August 2011.

He said: “I am very grateful to all the blood donors who self-lessly give their blood to help patients like me.”

Each blood donor at the event has potentially saved the lives of up to three people.

Geraldine Parker, lead donor relations manager at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We would like to thank these donors for their dedication.”

Anyone aged between 17 and 65, weighing more than 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health can be a blood donor. To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk Those honoured were: Douglas Chick (100th award, Poole), Judy Clews (75th award, Wareham), Pauline Cheffrey (75th award, Dorchester), Peter Forster (75th award, Dorchester), Keith Cuwain (75th award, Dorchester), Pat-ricia Butler (75th award, Ham-worthy), John Elliott (recipient) Richard Bird (75th award, Poole), Richard Bunt (100th award, Poole), Isobel Roberts (75th donor, Dorchester), Sue Davis (75th donor, Dorchester), Melvin Cross (100th donor, Dorchester), Thomas Gilder (75th award, Poole), Christina Jacobi (75th award, Wimborne, Sylvia Cham-pion (75th award, Dorchester), Malcolm Hill (75th award, Poole), Carl Card (75th award, Portland), Keith Dean (75th award, Poole), and Vivien Ford (75th award, Dorchester).