Over 100 donors turned up at a blood donation campaign at Mulia Hotel in Kampong Anggerek Desa recently, beating expectation by organisers Official Liverpool Supporters Club Brunei (OLSCB) and GHK Motors Sdn Bhd.
The event, with support from Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), was held in conjunction with the 40th National Day celebration and 100th anniversary of MG car brand.
Permanent Secretary (Sports) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud officiated the programme named MG X Liverpool Blood Donation Drive with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mulia Hotel Manager Brandon Tay and GHK Motors’ Jason Chai as well as OLSCB’s president Haji Alli Faiz bin Haji Othman and committee members.
Ninety pints of blood were collected at the campaign sponsored by Mulia Hotel and GHK Motors with donors receiving MG x Liverpool shirts and canvas bags as well as blood donation certificates and gifts from JPMC.
Haji Alli Faiz said the event was initiated as a response to the call to replenish the Sultanate’s blood stocks as well as allow club members to do their part in saving lives.
He said the organisers expected 50 donors but the massive turnout led them to request JPMC blood donation staff to open up 40 more slots for Liverpool fans travelling all the way from Belait and Tutong districts.
Although the donation drive targeted Liverpool fans, it was open to the public. Haji Alli Faiz, a blood donor since 2010, wanted to donate but gave his slot to another donor who was enthusiastic about donating blood.
The club president said the organisation is also working with other associations to organise a Ramadhan drive to distribute donations to underprivileged families and host iftar with orphans.
Mohd Yazid bin Dahlan, 25, from Kampong Sungai Besar was among the blood donors.
The Liverpool fan said he started donating blood when he and a colleague chanced upon a blood donation campaign while visiting an exhibition. Mohd Yazid was initially taken aback by the size of the needle but he braved through it with knowledge that he would be bleeding for a good cause. He also expressed his amazement and pride that the event organised by his favourite team’s fan club drew such a big crowd.
Universiti Teknologi Brunei student Siti Aliya binti Mislee also donated blood. With a B+ blood type, she knows that her blood is in demand.
The 23-year-old from Kampong Rimba first donated during her time at Meragang Sixth Form Centre. Since then, she has been looking forward to contributing more. While not a Liverpool fan, Siti Aliya felt she needed to support the cause.
Malaysian Conrad Boyd Mohsidin is also an active blood donor.
The diehard Liverpool fan who works in the hospitality industry urged the public to donate blood as the selfless act can save lives.
He said he will donate blood as much as possible knowing his contributions make a difference. – Lyna Mohamad
