Be positive... give some blood

THE first time I gave blood, I tried the venerable Tony Hancock, right, routine – they’d never heard it before, of course – insisting my type was ultra rare.

Turns out I’m O Positive, so common it’s the vin

ordinaire of Northern Europe.

‘But,’ said the nurse, ‘that means it’s in big demand.’

In fact, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion people reckon they daily need 191 of us O Pos types to donate to meet demand this month, a big ask in the festive season. Check www.scotblood.co.uk if you’d like to register as a donor, or to find a local session. I know a pint’s nearly an armful, but you won’t miss it.