The NSW Police Force will bleed for a good cause as part of the Australian Red Cross’ Emergency Services Blood Challenge.
The state-wide winter challenge started this month (Friday 1 June 2018) and will run until Friday 31 August 2018, NSW Police say.
Local police, firefighters, paramedics and emergency response workers and volunteers face off to see who is the most generous emergency services.
The Australian Red Cross has also extended the challenge to the four Police Commands – Nepean, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and the Dog Unit – to see which command can donate the most blood, donate the most plasma, and who has the highest number of new donors.
At the campaign launch at the Nepean Blood Donor Centre today (Friday 15 June 2018), Detective Superintendent Brett McFadden, Nepean Police Area Commander, says although there will be some friendly competition, the end goal of replenishing blood stocks during the winter months is the big win.
"Everyday our officers respond to serious incidents, including road crashes, serious assaults, drug and alcohol-related incidents, and natural disasters," Det Supt McFadden said.
"For the victims of these incidents, blood donors are their lifeline.
"If each eligible person in NSW gave up less than an hour of their day to donate blood, it would make a huge difference.
"Although all four Commands will be going head-to-head in a very competitive nature, we are all in it together and hope the example shown by all emergency services will have a ripple effect through the community and make a positive difference to current blood stores," Det Supt McFadden said.
The Police Commands will be led by the following Commanders:
Nepean PAC – Detective Superintendent Brett McFadden
Hawkesbury PAC – Detective Superintendent James Stewart
Blue Mountains PAC – Detective Superintendent David Jones
Dog Unit – Superintendent Steve Egginton
For more information on donating visit www.donateblood.com.au.
