PAT Noel, from Flatford Place, Kidlington, was saved by a vital blood transfusion during a difficult labour giving birth to her first and only daughter, Kimberley, 30 years ago.

Since then the 53-year-old has been working with the National Blood Service to encourage people to donate.

She said: “When I went into labour everything went wrong.

“My daughter had to be delivered by Caesarean section and my womb collapsed, my uterus perforated and I lost 28 pints of blood.

“I was really seriously ill, but they managed to save me and I pulled through.”

Tragically, Kimberley died of aplasti anaemia when she was just four, but Mrs Noel said the transfusions her daughter received over the seven weeks after she was diagnosed with illness, extended their precious time together.

She added: “It gave us some time to say our goodbyes.”

Because of continued ill health Mrs Noel is unable to give blood herself, but is fully backing the campaign to boost stocks for the winter.

She said: “You never know who might need it.

“Everyone knows someone who has had to have blood at some point or another. Just think, this Christmas it could be you or your family.”