A new NHS blood donor centre has opened in Chandler's Ford - to help more people like six-year-old Aiden Davis who was given a full blood exchange to save his life as a newborn.

More than 400 appointments a week will be available at Concept House in Stoney Croft Rise, with the blood donated saving up to 1200 lives like that of 45-year-old dad Abiola Fawehinmi, who receives red blood cell exchanges every six weeks for sickle cell disease.

The 14,000 people who have given blood in the past three years and are now eligible to rebook are being urged to make an appointment.

(Image: NHS Blood and Transplant) READ MORE: Epic efforts of daughter who crossed the globe in deathbed promise to dad

The centre, which will be open six day a week, with donation appointments available in the early morning, evening and on Saturdays, features nine blood donor chairs, free WiFi, and consultation rooms named after local landmarks, including St Mary’s Stadium and the River Itchen.

One person very grateful for the new centre is Eastleigh teacher Steph Davis, who saw her son Aiden undergo a full blood exchange as a newborn.

She said: "We were told it was the only way he could survive. I was shocked, panicked, worried. I felt numb and helpless. The consultants made it quite obvious that he shouldn’t have made it. Now he’s a happy little six-year-old boy, who’s really thriving. Our little miracle."

(Image: NHS Blood and Transplant) Another supporter of the new centre is Abiola Fawehinmi, who lives in Southampton and has lived with sickle cell all his life.

He was often in hospital, missing out on time with this son, until 2020 when he started undergoing regular red blood cell exchanges, a move which revitalised his life. 

He said: "I feel brand new. I haven’t been hospitalised for three and a half years. My son and I do everything - we go for long walks, I play catch with him, and just the normal father-son things. Bicycle rides, things like that. One hour of your time can give a lifetime of hope."

(Image: NHS Blood and Transplant) Donor centre nanager Claire Alexander explained she hopes people who have donated before will come back now there's a permanent new centre. The donation process takes an hour and each donation can save up to three lives. 

 To donate, visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23. 

(Image: NHS Blood and Transplant)