Alliance has also brought a motion to Belfast City Council on the importance of giving blood, Councillor Tara Brooks said it was inspired by her family history.

“This motion highlights how important giving blood is. My dad was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2009, a rare blood cancer, but thanks to the kindness of strangers, he was able to live for another nine years following diagnosis, contrary to what we all expected,” she said.

“During his treatment, he received multiple blood infusions which helped manage the cancer and improve his quality of life. At the time, and ever since, I have felt indebted to those people who donated the blood that kept my dad alive.

“That's why I'm encouraging more people to step forward and become blood donors. It’s so simple to do and makes an immeasurable difference to people’s lives.

“I hope today's event will help to do that and would like to thank the work of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, who have helped save countless lives since it was established.”