The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is putting out an appeal for extra blood donations between now and Christmas.

Pressure will be greater this year because Christmas and New Year both fall on a Monday – which are usually donor collection days.

Operations director Paul McKinney said that they need 15,000 donations between now and January 7 just to maintain supply.

“On www.giveblood.ie you will see where all our clinics are up to the Christmas and new Year period,” he said.

The next nearest clinic to Naas is next Monday 18th December in Clane GAA from 15:00 – 17:00 and 19:00 – 21:00.

In relation to cycling, less red blood cells means less oxygen carrying capacity to the working muscles. It will take about 4-6 weeks for your red blood cells to fully recover in their numbers. When you give blood, the plasma level is made up pretty quickly, but it takes a while for the bone marrow to produce the red blood cells.

So depending on your training etc, this may be a time of year to consider a donation.