Anthony Hennigan

When did you start giving blood? Some of our longest serving donors began way back in the 1950s and 60s, and have some great memories to share.

Anthony Hennigan, blood and platelet donor of 50 years, takes us on a walk from Land's End to John o' Groats.

Donating blood had never been on my agenda until I made my first donation at police training school (RAF Dishforth) in 1971. A member of the donation staff explained how blood was really needed - I saw (and felt!) that there was no pain involved - and that was it, I was hooked and decided to continue giving blood.

(Picture: Anthony around the time of his first donation)

My first donation was taken in a makeshift treatment room where I lay on a military bed. The doctor (blood had to be drawn by a doctor in those days) had a warm and friendly bedside manner and he talked and put me at my ease as he took my blood. It all seemed to be over in a jiffy!

I started by donating blood and then I was told that I was an ideal candidate for donating platelets and so I started giving that too and I have continued ever since.

I was inspired to donate by seeing how family members and friends’ lives were saved or improved as a result of blood transfusions. When in the police service, I witnessed many injured and traumatised persons also urgently requiring blood transfusions and that enthused me even more. I also passed the word to my police colleagues and some of them started donating blood too.

I have been a keen walker for much of my life and when I retired at the age of 50, after 30 years of police service as a Detective Chief Inspector and Hostage Negotiator, I decided to tackle the ultimate challenge for me, the End to End walk from Land's End.

(Picture: Anthony with his dog Rua)

Ten years later, at 60, I was ready for retiring from my role at BBC and I decided to walk in the opposite direction. I raised £5,000 for Children in Need.

That was ten years ago and as I am now 70 I am hoping that me and my dog Rua are fit enough to walk End to End for the final time (my bones and body will be too weary when I reach 80!) - and raise some funds for the Sue Ryder registered charity as we go along our way. I encourage people not only to contribute to the charity but also to donate blood.

I met strangers on my first walk who assisted me and when I finished the walk, I sent them cards from John o' Groats. We maintained contact and I met them again when walking in the opposite direction ten years later. I will meet with them again this year and they are now dear friends. 

My seven grandchildren each say that they want to spend a day walking with me - and whilst their spirit might be strong, I am hoping that it is matched by their stamina! They all love Rua to pieces and often there is competition for who holds her lead.

To anyone hesitant about giving blood, I would say that if they have had a recent vaccination or blood test, then that is similar to what they will experience when donating.

I would tell them that any minor pain they might suffer is minimised during the process and that they will hardly feel the needle. I would inform them that during the actual procedure, most of the time is spent in relaxation mode where they can chill and take time-out!