I WOULD like to urge cricketers to become Blood Donors; I thought I would share my statistics to demonstrate that senior and junior players from Division I to Division V can produce some remarkable results.

I became a Blood Donor some 40 years ago; about the same time I became hooked on cricket. I lived overseas at the time, donating every 56 days, which resulted in 6 pints a year. Being young and fit I managed to maintain a consistent 6 pints per year for 7 years; then slowed down as a result of family and work commitments.

I worked in the city at the time, the Blood Bank was opposite my office; I received a phone call to say a pint was urgently needed for a cancer patient; popped across the road and made my donation. Never taken a wicket; I would imagine this is the same feeling as taking a wicket – saving a game!

When I returned to the United Kingdom I had donated 54 not out; I contacted the Welsh Blood Service so I could resume my innings.

I have been fortunate to keep fit, free of injuries and recently donated my 100th pint (a century). My mother was against me giving blood as she thought it would be detrimental to my health; typical mother. However during this period my mother was diagnosed with cancer and received two pints; so I would tease her by saying you probably had a pint donated by me. Her response was I hope I do not turn out as fanatical about cricket as you! She lived for another 16 seasons (years) after her treatment.

The qualities of tea vary at places where you donate as much as the teas at the different cricket clubs.

Donating is true sportsmanship, your pint is given to a person from any part of the community; senior, junior, man, woman, boy, girl and any background. No committee decisions – wow!

I hope the above resonates like the magical sound of “bat on ball”, and that you go on to take many wickets and amass sizeable innings; one wicket (pint) changes the outcome of game/ life and an innings allow families to look forward to the next cricket season together.

My dream is to carry on donating until I am run out.

I have not playing much cricket however played in a different way, being patient in building my innings.

ANDREW SCOTT-DAVIES

Pembroke Dock Cricket Club