With about 900 blood donors cancelling appointments each week due to colds and flu, Tamworth’s Fire and Rescue NSW, Ambulance, Police, Rural Fire Service and SES have heeded the call to arms.

The donations have also sparked friendly rivalry between the services, with a competition to see which service can give the most blood during winter with a national target of 5000 donations and 15,000 lives saved.

Donor centre spokeswoman Annie Curtis said they hoped the emergency services would inspire others to roll up their sleeves.

“Winter is always a difficult time for blood donations, because you need to be feeling 100 per cent well to donate,” she said. 

“Patients fighting cancer, infections and blood diseases are relying on donated blood to keep them healthy throughout winter. 

“It only takes one hour to donate blood and help to save lives.” 

Ms Curtis said, in regional areas where the personnel know each other, the friendly rivalry can encourage more people to donate.

Tamworth Rural Fire Service membership services officer Sean Barton said blood donations were essential.

“It’s a great initiative to encourage the emergency services to take time and get involved and consider a proactive contribution to the community, rather than the standard reactive contribution we normally make,” he said.

“Many brigades are coming at the end of the month with group appointments and bringing fire trucks with them.”

The Tamworth donor centre also offers free Wi-Fi to donors now, to keep them occupied while they give the gift of life.