WORKERS at a building firm in WGC are used to giving their all for their company. But now, bosses at Morgan Ashurst want even more from staff – their blood. As part of a campaign launched in partnership with the National Blood Service (NBS), employees are

WORKERS at a building firm in WGC are used to giving their all for their company.

But now, bosses at Morgan Ashurst want even more from staff - their blood.

As part of a campaign launched in partnership with the National Blood Service (NBS), employees are aiming to save up to 1,000 lives by giving blood at a mobile donation unit parked outside the company's Falcon Way office at the end of this month.

The campaign also aims to increase the NBS blood stock for autumn if the swine flu pandemic gets worse and people are unable to donate during that time.

It is a cause close to the heart of many employees at a company which is currently building a �12m global research centre for the Health Protection Agency - to develop a vaccine for swine flu.

But perhaps nobody knows the importance of donating blood better than Morgan Ashurst's business development director, Ray McAuley.

In 2006, Mr McAuley's father-in-law died of cancer, but says the blood transfusions he received during his treatment made a marked, even if temporary, improvement to his condition.

Since 2006, Mr McAuley has donated blood 28 times.

"It costs nothing to give blood but the gift of life is the most precious thing we can offer," he said.

"We are extremely proud to lead the way in helping to boost blood stocks in case swine flu spreads this winter.

"We carry out a lot of complex schemes in the health sector and in the heart of local communities.

"These people are our lifeblood so we want to give something back to them."

The mobile donation unit will be open outside the Morgan Ashurst offices from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 4pm on September 29 and 30.

The unit is open from 10am to 2.30pm on October 1.

To book a donation appointment, call 0300 123 23 23, quoting reference 016. Alternatively, simply drop by during opening hours.