BRADFORD’S new donor centre has collected more than 500 blood donations since it opened the doors of its new city centre base last month.

A celebration to mark its official opening is being organised for Friday, June 16 with invited guests including people whose lives have been saved through blood donations and stalwarts who have given blood for many years.

Since the new centre opened on May 16 it had collected 444 donations by last week and was over the 500 mark now, said a spokesman for the NHS

The NHS Blood and Transplant service moved in to historic Kenburgh House, the former home of Bradford & Keighley Registrar Office, after nearly 50 years of being in Rawson Road.

When the Rawson Road site opened back in 1967, it was the first plasma donor centre in the country.

“It served us well, but was a small size donor centre with six donation chairs used for a mix of blood and platelet collection,” said the spokesman.

He added: “The new site at Kenburgh House offers a more efficient way to collect blood as we have extended our opening hours, opening later for two days and opening more Saturdays.

“This will provide more opportunities for appointments for our donors. The new centre provides many benefits.

“It is bigger, better and more modern with much improved facilities and close to parking and public transport.

“It also provides a better working environment for our staff.”

The spokesman said: “Numbers are definitely up already at the new centre because it’s bigger we have more beds and more donor opportunities.”

The Kenburgh House Centre also takes platelet donations.

Brian Feather, 63, from Bingley was the first person to give blood there on May 16. He has given 49 donations in total since he started giving blood in 1999.

In the past he had donated blood at temporary venues visiting Bingley but this was his first donation in a donor centre.

“I didn’t realise I’d be the first donor here but I’m pleased to have donated on the opening day!

“It’s a really smart looking centre and the team are very friendly and efficient.

“I may well come here to donate again,” he said.

The new chairman of the National Health Blood and Transplant Service Millie Banerjee CBE will also be at the Kenburgh House celebration to give a speech.

The event will run from 10am to noon with the official opening and cutting of ribbon and cake at 11am.

To book an appointment call 0300 123 23 23 or go to blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/about-our-donation-venues/bradford/