Thousands of black blood donors are urgently needed in a call to save people with sickle cell disease.

NHS Blood and Transplant says there are currently just 6,454 black donors, which makes up 6.3 per cent of overall active blood donors.

As part of Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the NHS has appealed for 16,000 new donors from black and mixed black communities to help save lives with the genetic disorder that affects 15,000.

The disorder is an inherited blood disorder that is most common in black people, and it can cause organ failure, stroke or loss of vision.

Hence people within black African, black Caribbean and ethnically mixed groups are likely to have a rare sub-group that sickle cell patients desperately need.

Colin Anderson, Community & Engagement Lead at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The numbers of blood donors needed from Black African and Black Caribbean communities show just how important our appeal is for new donors to make an appointment to give blood today.

“There are very real people behind these numbers - they are children, adults and their families who face painful struggles with life-threatening sickle cell and uncertain futures.

“But they are also the donors who are doing something amazing – giving blood takes just one hour and can save three lives.

“We know demand for Black blood donors will continue to rise as the number of people with sickle cell grows but we have a chance now to close the gap and help our friends, neighbours and communities battling this disease.”

To become a blood donor, register and book an appointment by visiting www.blood.co.uk, downloading the GiveBloodNHS app or calling 0300 123 23 23.