Winter is the busiest time of the year for hospitals and the need for blood is greater than ever. As part of the Nottingham Evening Post's Time for a Pint campaign, Clare Pilling made her first blood donation and is urging everyone else to do the same...

If I can do this, anyone can. For the past two years, every time my mum went giving blood she would try to persuade me to go with her.

But I always made up excuses not to.

I've always wanted to give blood - I know how important it is that there is enough blood in hospitals for transfusions - but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

This time I felt I had to prove to the people of Nottingham - and myself - that it is quite easy and not at all unpleasant, like I thought it might be.

In the run-up to Christmas, blood stocks are in demand. Hospitals are always busy over the festive period, with more emergencies and therefore a greater need for blood.

Because people are often too busy enjoying themselves, they forget to give blood and stocks can dip.

Around 800 units - each almost a pint in volume - are needed every day in the Trent region, with Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen's Medical Centre using half a million a year.

At the moment the need is being met, but towards Christmas supplies can drop significantly.

So I decided now would be a good time to take the plunge.

I gave blood at the Castle Boulevard donation centre in Nottingham - and was immediately put at ease by the staff.

I felt quite proud about what I was about to do - but I was very nervous.

Before they took any blood from me, a small blood sample had to be taken to check for anaemia.

This was a quick process and, before I knew it I was lying on the bed. Jim - one of the care assistants - was at my side, making me feel at ease.

Then Danny, a nurse - who assured me he had done this 300 times - came over to insert the dreaded needle into my left arm.

Surprisingly, it didn't hurt and, as I lay back donating my pint, I realised what a wimp I had been not to be doing this before.

It took about ten minutes to take my full pint during which time I never felt a thing.

I was quite surprised at how quickly it all happened.

Because this was the first time I had given blood, I was left to lie down until I felt OK to get up again.

Still feeling a little light-headed, I went and sat with the other donors and had my advised three cups of orange and packet of biscuits.

For the sake of half an hour out of your day, I think it's worth helping to save a life.

I was given time off work to give blood - something which more and more employers are allowing.

I feel proud I've helped to save someone's life - but the blood I gave won't just help one person, as parts of it can also help a further two.

I am going to give blood regularly now that I know how painless and rewarding it was.

I wish I'd have given blood before - and would urge anyone else who has not yet done it, for whatever reason, to give blood before Christmas.