Teenager running 5k a day to inspire plasma donors

A teenager is running 5km every day for 25 days in an effort to inspire new blood and plasma donations.

George, 13, from Knowle, Bristol, is 20 days into the challenge, which has seen him wake up at 05:30 BST to complete his runs before going to school.

He and his younger brother Artie both have primary immunodeficiency, which means they require immunoglobulin infusions - only possible through plasma donations - every four weeks. George plans to finish the challenge on 7 July at the hospital where they both receive treatment.

"I'm trying to get more people to donate and show my thanks to people who have already donated," George said.

George is aiming to encourage 25 people to sign up to donate blood or plasma through his challenge, telling BBC Radio Bristol he was "on track" but needed "a few more people" to meet his goal.

There are three dedicated plasma donor centres across the UK, with the West Country's nearest centre in Reading, Berkshire, but plasma can also be extracted from whole blood donations as the component makes up 55% of blood.

George's mother, Michelle, said she was "incredibly proud", adding: "It's a challenge I know I wouldn't be able to do but he's been really motivated.

"We're incredibly proud of the fact that he's doing this, he's keeping on going and he's just trying to raise awareness of the importance of blood and plasma donation."

George said getting up to complete the runs had become "more and more tiring".

"It's been really tough because it's really hot and that just drains my energy."

But he added he felt "really good because it will be over soon and I will have achieved it".

While the runs may be getting more difficult, all the effort has not put George off.

"I've always wanted to do a marathon one day so hopefully I'll be able to do that," he said.

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