There is a need for all donors but particularly donors with O positive and B positive blood types. The donations are needed at the city’s donor centre because it has numerous appointments available, including almost 1,200 over the next month.

Most mobile sessions in community venues – such as church halls – are currently full as people to respond to the need for donations. However appointments can become available at short notice. Richard Brain, Birmingham donor centre manager, said: “Blood stocks are running low right now. We aim to have six days of blood at any time but we currently only have around three days’ stock of some of our key blood groups.

“Donations were lower than expected during September. Our local mobile sessions in community venues are typically busy but we have appointments available at the donor centre now for existing donors. We’re particularly keen that people who have previously donated book in or walk in because we know their blood group and we know they can donate. We always welcome new donors too.

“If you would like to give blood at Birmingham donor centre please make an appointment as soon as you can by going to www.blood.co.uk.

O positive is especially helpful and in demand because it can be given to so many people. Donations can be given to anyone has is Rh positive, which means O positive donors can help three out of four patients. Only 10% of donors are group B. It is a blood group more common in our south Asian and black donors.