Good sports pump new blood

The Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers always give it their all on the floor but they were prepared to give off the court on Tuesday.

A number of Slammers gathered at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service's donor centre in Bunbury to donate blood.

Slammers men's team manager Sharon Van Bavel said the idea behind the visit came after she encouraged players to donate.

"I'm a regular donor and I thought this was a practical way they could help people in the community," she said.

"We are encouraging other people in the community to do the same and the players will also regularly donate."

Bunbury Donor Centre session leader Kerry Anderson said the Australian Red Cross was below its Bunbury blood donation targets.

"With the cold and flu season starting, people are less likely to donate but we still need members of the public to come in and donate," she said.

Mrs Anderson said the Red25 campaign aimed to obtain 25 per cent of blood donations from community groups.

"By donating, it is something that can save lives and make a huge difference through the supply of blood and blood products," she said.

"It was great that the Slammers players came in - although I thought we might have needed to raise some of the door frames."

Slammers men's playing-coach Ty Harrelson said it was not the first time he had donated blood.

"It's a nice thing to do and if we can help someone else there with a health issue, then that would be great," he said.

"We are hoping people in Bunbury and the South West do the same thing because you could save someone's life."