ALWAYS THERE - COME RAIN OR SHINE

Sheringham residents have taken the first step to saving lives by registering to give blood.  During the Sheringham Carnival, an event hit by inclement weather, the National Blood Service (NBS) registered eleven new donors who will shortly be invited to the Sheringham blood donor session to give their first vital donation.   The new donors registered will be joining the 455 people who are already registered to give blood in Sheringham - but more donors are needed.  Gareth Bell, Communications Officer for the National Blood Service in East Anglia, said, "It is fantastic that eleven new donors registered to give blood at the recent carnival.  We hoped more people would have enrolled on the day but unfortunately the weather got the better of everyone.  Each blood donation given at sessions across the county has the potential to save up to three lives - therefore; the eleven new donors who will soon be giving their first donation will save 33 lives.  Hospitals across Norfolk require 3,000 units of blood products each month and there is a great need for more people to step forward and become life-saving blood donors."

The next blood donor session in Sheringham will take place on Wednesday 15 November at St Andrew's Methodist Church Hall, Cromer Road, Sheringham.  Session times are 1.00pm - 3.30pm & 4.30pm - 7.00pm.  If you would like to become a blood donor and wish to find out more about enrolling and to make an appointment, please call the National Helpline on 0845 7 711 711, or log on to the NBS website at www.blood.co.uk -


* The NBS collected 2 million units of blood last year from 1.3 million blood donors.
*Across England and north Wales the NHS needs 8,000 voluntary donations of blood daily.
* Only five per cent of the eligible population are active blood donors
* A unit of blood is measured as 470mls (or just under a pint)
* Whole blood donors can give every 16 weeks, that's three times a year
* Regular blood donors can keep giving up until the age of 70
* There are 4 main blood groups - O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common and therefore the most in demand.  Over 95 per cent of the blood collected is processed into its main components - red cells, platelets and plasma.  A regular supply of blood is vital - red cells last only 35 days and platelets only 5 days

CHARITY AUCTION FOR LOCAL ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

The local Friends of DayBreak group is hosting a Charity Auction at the Methodist Church Hall in Sheringham at the beginning of September, to raise funds for DayBreak Support Services - BREAK charity's daycare provision for adults with learning disabilities.  The auction is on Saturday 2 September from 10.00a.m. - 1p.m. (viewings from 9 a.m.) and entry is free.

There are some fabulous items up for auction which will be conducted by Martyn 'Have Gavel Will Travel' Fox.  These include rides in a Ferrari and a vintage Bentley, a holiday in Corfu for four, a family ticket to the Sandringham Estate and even a skydive. In fact, there is something for everyone.

Keith Good, Chairman of the Friends of DayBreak said, "We are delighted with the response of local businesses and individuals who have donated some really super lots for our auction.  The funds raised will help to provide those little extras which make our members' time with us really fulfilling and enjoyable.  So do come along and support BREAK and the Friends of DayBreak."
The Friends of DayBreak are a group of local individuals who raise funds for those 'added extras' for the adult day support services, including art & craft materials, and funds for activities and outings.

For more information call Keith Good on 01263 761580.

AYLSHAM ROTARY CLUB PLANS AUTUMN ANTIQUES FAYRE

Aylsham Rotary Club is in full preparation mode for the upcoming Autumn Antiques Fayre which will be held in Aylsham High School on Sunday the 8th October 2006 between 10am and 4pm.  In addition to a good selection of local dealers offering good quality antiques, local fine art auctioneers Keys of Aylsham will be providing an 'Antiques Roadshow' valuation service.

This will be the 10th consecutive Antiques Fayre held by the Rotary Club which looks to build on the success of the previous years.  Last year £3,000 was made which was donated to various charities including Orbis, an eye surgery charity.  Rotarian Tony Hawkins can be reached on 01263 734292 for further information on reserving stands for the show.