An Ipswich couple holidaying in Florida volunteered to give blood following a mass shooting in the American state over the weekend.
Kelly-Anne Byres, director of Poppy Nursing Services, is visiting Orlando with husband Andy and son Logan.
Mrs Byres said they have been warned to avoid the downtown area following the shooting, in which around 50 people were killed after an attack at a nightclub.
She said: “There is still blood on the streets and our hotel is just five minutes away. The hotel staff have been quite keen to shield tourists from the aftermath.
“Everyone is a little shocked – it’s the second major gun incident in a week.”
Mrs Byres said the family joined queues which stretched for two blocks to give blood after an announcement stocks were low but did not have the blood type being sought. Instead they helped hand out bottles of water to people queuing.
“We have felt a bit vulnerable – after all, Florida is billed as the happiest place on earth but sadly terrorists can strike at any time.”
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