BETWEEN them they have saved hundreds of lives but these two Ipswich men have never been doctors, nurses or emergency service workers.Terry Minns and Harold Horsley are blood donors and during the last 50 years have donated 175 pints of blood between them.

By Jessica Nicholls

BETWEEN them they have saved hundreds of lives but these two Ipswich men have never been doctors, nurses or emergency service workers.

Terry Minns and Harold Horsley are blood donors and during the last 50 years have donated 175 pints of blood between them.

As a single donation of blood can save up to three lives this pair of Ipswich men could have saved more than 500 lives in their time.

Today Mr Horsley is due to donate his 100th pint of blood and will be given a crystal decanter by the National Blood Service.

Like Mr Minns, he started giving blood when he was an apprentice at Ransome and Rapier's.

And unlike most donors, he was lucky enough to meet up with a woman who had actually received his blood.

Mr Horsley, 67, from Whinchat Close, said: "In 1958, I was doing National Service and was a medic over in Germany.

"One day an emergency two pints of blood was needed and in those days the service did not rely on the blood banks.

"I gave a pint of blood and was taken to see the woman later on.

"To see her face was wonderful and it motivated me to do more because when you give blood you are helping someone – normally once it is gone you don't know where it goes to."

Now retired, Mr Horsely used to be a power worker at Cliff Quay power station.

He said that giving blood always makes him feel good. "I would encourage anybody to make that first step and give your first pint, you will realise how easy and satisfying it is."

Terry Minns realised just how important it was to give blood when his wife needed a transfusion a few years ago.

He said: "It made me feel that I had done something good.

"When I first started giving it I just thought it was a nice thing to do."

Now 63 and working for P&O Ferries, Mr Minns was 18 and also an apprentice and Ransome and Rapier when he first started giving blood.

With only six per cent of the population giving blood he cannot understand why more people do not do it.

He said: "I keep trying to get some of my friends to do it but I think they are a bit squeamish!

"There is nothing to be scared about. I enjoy the whole experience."

Mr Minns from Kingsgate Drive, Ipswich will give his 76th pint of blood on Thursday and will be given a crystal plate.