“Without you, I wouldn’t be here!” - Crash survivor Richard Jones has issued a heartfelt plea for others to donate blood.

After a near-fatal car crash in Carmarthen, in 2020, Richard - who lived and worked in Tenby at the time - lost a significant amount of blood and needed 100 units in total to survive.

This National Blood Donor Week (which runs from June 8 to 14), he’s saying thank you to the donors who saved his life and calling on others to give blood with the Welsh Blood Service.

In 2020, Richard was driving when his truck hit a barrier on the way into Carmarthen, causing it to flip, leaving him in need of urgent medical attention.

Thanks to the quick actions of a passer-by, a former Army medic, helped Richard by applying two makeshift tourniquets, reducing the bleeding. Other members of the public helped to keep him conscious until Wales Air Ambulance arrived.

Medics immediately administered six units of blood at the roadside, stabilising him enough to be transferred to Morriston Hospital, Swansea.

Richard spent ten days in a coma and sustained extensive injuries, including a shattered hip, multiple fractures, a torn posterior cruciate ligament, and severe trauma to both legs.

His right leg was later amputated above the knee due to a severed artery. Over the following weeks, he underwent nine major surgeries and required a further 94 units of blood.

Richard says the kindness of strangers, both at the scene and from blood donors across Wales, is the reason he’s alive today.

“At the time, I had no idea how many people it would take to save my life. Looking back now, it’s overwhelming to think how many strangers stepped forward to help me,” he said.

During his long recovery, Richard met his partner, Michaela. Today, the couple who now reside in Neath are proud parents to their young son, Dougie.

Since the accident, Richard has adapted to life with a prosthetic limb and continues to share his story to inspire others to donate blood.

Richard continued: “I would just like to say a huge thank you to anyone donates blood, without you, I wouldn’t be here. You never know whose life you’re going to save or change.”

Alan Prosser, Director of the Welsh Blood Service, said: "We always say one donation can save three lives, but in Richard's case, it took a community of lifesavers.

"One hundred units is a staggering amount of blood for one person to receive. It's only possible because people generously give up an hour of their time to help people in need.”

As part of its National Blood Donor Week celebrations, the Welsh Blood Service is revisiting one of its most effective campaigns, 'Missing Type'.

First launched in Wales in 2016, it captured hearts and headlines with brands, businesses, organisations and the public removing the letters A, B and O from their names and logos to highlight the importance of these blood groups.

To find out more and book a blood donation, visit: www.wbs.wales/NBDW26