The fleshandblood campaign, which is supported by the Baptist Union of Great Britain, hosted the registration drive at the annual arts, faith and justice festival as part of its on-going drive to see the UK Church supporting NHS Blood and Transplant. 

They witnessed a new donor sign up every two minutes during the time they were open, culminating in a total of more than 800 people who registered to give blood or signed up to the NHS Organ Donor Register during the festival.

The youngest to register as an organ donor was a seven-year old boy who joined with his mother saying, ‘Someone else will need them more than I will'.

Earlier this year, organisers of Greenbelt welcomed the opportunity to promote the life-giving potential of blood and organ donation as a special action at this year's celebration.

Paul Northup, Greenbelt’s Creative Director said, ‘Enabling Greenbelters to sign up as blood and organ donors in a year where we celebrate life's beginnings has been a privilege.

‘We're overwhelmed by the communal generosity that was shown and want to thank NHS Blood and Transplant and all those who made the decision to become donors at the festival.’

The partnership not only included registering new donors at the festival but also a poem written exclusively for the campaign by the former Archbishop of
Canterbury Rowan Williams featured in this year's Festival Guide. 

Thousands of festival goers were also invited to tie a piece of wool around poles as a means of symbolising the number of donors on site.

Zeeshan Asghar, Partnership Development Manager at NHS Blood and Transplant said, ‘We're delighted with the response from Greenbelt festival goers who have made this one of our most successful events ever.

‘We would like to say thank you to the event organisers for allowing us to feature at the festival, it would not be possible to have recruited so many people without their support.

‘In addition, we would like to thank all the festival goers who registered, as their decisions will help to save many lives in the future.’

Sponsored by Give.net and in association with denominations, organisations and festivals including the Church of England, The Salvation Army, Methodist Church, United Reformed Church, Baptist Union, Church In Wales, Hope and Evangelical Alliance, the fleshandblood campaign marks the first time the NHS has worked alongside the church on a national initiative of this kind.

Around three people die per day due to the shortage of organs in the UK. This unique campaign seeks to equip individuals and churches as advocates for blood and organ donation, enabling them to raise awareness of blood and organ donation with their family, friends and community and potentially help to save thousands of lives each year.

For more information visit: fleshandblood.org 
Contact by email: info@fleshandblood.org
Twitter: @fleshandblood
Facebook: fleshandblooduk