PEOPLE are being asked to consider saving a life or three for their New Year’s resolution by giving blood in 2013.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is challenging people to spare an hour of their time to donate blood following a dramatic decline in the number of younger donors signing up in 2012.

The service hopes to recruit 100,000 new donors in 100 days in order to protect future blood stocks.

Jonathan Sewell, NHSBT’s lead donor relations manager for the south west, said: “New Year’s resolutions have become a bit clichéd over the past few years as people always set themselves up for big challenges they are unable to complete.

“Our challenge is a simple one, plus we can guarantee donors a warm welcome, a hot cup of tea and a biscuit to help boost their sense of achievement not to mention the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping sick and injured people in local hospitals with each and every donation they make.”

Donor sessions will be held at Salisbury City Hall on January 7 and Five Rivers Leisure Centre on January 18.

For more information or to book an appointment, call 0300 1232323 or visit blood.co.uk.