Tamworth Regional Council blood donation challenge: council staff roll up their sleeves to save lives

Instead, Col Murray, council staff and their friends and family donate it to Lifeblood each year to help save lives.

The annual Local Government Blood Challenge has kicked off and this year Tamworth Regional Council's (TRC) team will roll up their sleeves to try to beat the 1194 lives they helped saved last year.

Lifeblood is a really worthy cause and any member of the community can jump on board to help TRC's tally, Cr Murray said.

"We've had a good, hard crack at this challenge and it's a challenge between local governments right across the state and country, so Tamworth has been really successful competing with other councils for the most donations given," he said.

"We do rely heavily on friends and family of council employees, but we're particularly proud of all of our wonderful staff who have been so generous and committed to this cause.

"It's one of those fundamental things, you never know when you might need a transfusion or some plasma."

In 2020, TRC won the national title for the most plasma donations at 363.

While in 2017 and 2018 the council won first prize for the most blodonations out of any other local council in Australia.

And, Cr Murray said the Blood Bank has the best fruit cake in the business.

"It's such a pleasure to go to the Blood Bank, they've got wonderful staff who make you feel so welcome and at home," he said.

The challenge runs from July 1 to September 3.

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Lifeblood Australia group accounts manager Ruth Harrison said 31,000 donations are needed every week across the country.

"Any community member can join the friends and family Lifeblood team and help the council with their donations as well," she said.

To donate visit donateblood.com.au.

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