Alton Towers Resort help tackle blood donor shortage

Alton Towers Resort is helping the NHS tackle the urgent shortage of blood donors this winter - through a spine-tingling partnership.

It comes as blood supplies dropped to an all-time low, forcing the NHS in England to issue an amber warning for only the second time in its history, earlier this year.

The NHS needs nearly 5,000 people to give blood every day to meet the needs of hospitals and patients.

Find out your blood type

Three members of Alton Towers Resort staff standing next to a ride The partnership will see a team from NHS Blood and Transplant carry out free blood testing to visitors to Alton Towers Resort on Friday 18 October, during Scarefest.

The testing will involve a quick finger prick blood test that allows the NHS to identify your blood type.

Identifying blood types is an essential step in driving donations, as well as helping the NHS to identify those with rarer blood types such as O negative which is in particularly short supply.

O negative is known as the universal blood type as it can be given to almost anyone and is vital in emergencies. Just eight per cent of the population have it but it accounts for 15 per cent of hospital usage.

The testing is the latest step in Alton Towers Resort’s activity with NHS Blood and Transplant, which has seen the theme park offer volunteer opportunities for its 2,000 colleagues, all aimed at boosting blood donations across the country.

By participating in this initiative, Alton Towers Resort visitors can make a real difference to the country’s blood supplies in the time it takes to ride Nemesis Reborn.

During Scarefest, thrill seekers can experience 80 seconds of pure adrenaline after dark on the ride, whilst blood test results can be completed in just 60 seconds.

As well as taking on the iconic Nemesis Reborn, Scarefest guests this year can also experience new scare maze COMPOUND, where the shadowy Phalanx organisation are said to be experimenting with DNA from the beast itself.

Statements

Statement from Dr Jo Farrar, Chief Executive of NHS Blood and Transplant

“As we face one of the potentially most challenging winters in our recent history, it’s vital we continue to find new ways to bring in new donors.

“We know that by encouraging people to get their blood typed, people are more likely to donate. By partnering with Alton Towers we hope to be able to drive more donations that will help save patients’ lives.”

Statement from Bianca Sammut, Divisional Director at Alton Towers Resort

“At Alton Towers Resort we entertain countless millions of visitors a year through our stand-out attractions.

“This Scarefest we’re immensely proud to announce our new partnership with NHS Blood & Transplant to help them drive donations as supplies run critically low.

“We’d encourage as many guests as possible to take advantage of the blood testing facilities on site, there’s a huge demand for donors so knowing if you’re eligible to donate is the crucial first step.”