Blood is best gift to give this Christmas, says singer Con Cluskey

Published Date: 23 November 2009

By David Ford

CHRISTMAS is the time for giving and, after a narrow escape, local musician Con Cluskey is urging people to give blood this year. Con, of 1960s band The Bachelors, suffered a torn artery and lost three and a half litres of blood. He survived thanks to the same amount � around six pints � of donated blood.

"It was pretty terrifying," he said. "I went to bed and when I woke up there was blood everywhere. I had no idea where it was coming from. My wife got me straight in the car and drove to the hospital." "Calderdale Royal Hospital took me in but they didn't have the equipment to treat me so I was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where they pumped blood and fluids into me."

Nationally the NHS needs 7,000 blood donations daily but only 4 per cent of the eligible population are donors.

Con, who has lived in Elland for the last 38 years, said: "I have given blood myself in the past. In fact, back at college, I used to organise the blood donation sessions. Although you used to get a free bottle of Guinness every time you donated so that might have had something to do with it!

"It isn't until something like this happens that you realise the importance of it."

Craig Taylor, of The National Blood Service, said: "Every week hospitals in West Yorkshire use 1,614 units of blood. "We need both regular donors and new donors to continue to come forward as blood has a relatively short shelf life."

Doctors said the surgery would have been impossible if it were not for the blood transfusions he received.

It was so successful he was back on stage within two weeks. Con's festive advice is: "Give blood as one of your gifts this Christmas and help people. Thanks to people's generosity I survived."

Con was asked to give a talk on his life in Show Business to the members of Bradford West Rotary Club.	Con was greeted by the President of The Bradford West Rotary Club Tony Caunt and his wife Judy	Con's Talk at Level 6 Restaurant in Bradford was much appreciated and some of his anecdotes brought roars of laughter.
Con & Dec gave a concert in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care	Con & Dec in full flow at the 'Marie Curie' Concert	Con & Dec met up recently with old friend Tony Davis from The Spinners and spent some time catching up with their past!
	Con & Dec photographed by Graham Vernon
Some of The Fan Club came to see Con & Dec at St. Edita's Church in Tamworth and had a wonderful 'Get Together' with them.	Dec and Victoria look at home on the altar.	Con & Dec backed by Alex Hill on drums and Victoria on keyboards went down a storm at St. Edita's Church.

Justin Edley Extraordinary Drummer	Neil lights up our life on stage	'Mac' makes us sound great
	Isle of Wight Ferry. Nothing to do but drink tea!

Con, Alex, Mac, Victoria, Dec and Neil relax before the show at Southwark Park	Con & Dec in action onstage at The Event in Bermondsey London	Con & Dec with organisers of 'The Event' Russell Dryden and Phil.
Dec going it alone	Con & Dec show the young ones how it's done!	A delighted crowd cheer Con & Dec at 'The Event on Southwark Park, Bermondsey

Con & Dec joined Water Rats Jess Conrad, Kaplan Kaye, Tom Anderson, and Ed Stewart (Stewpot) for a Charity Golf Match sponsored by Dr. Jim Marshall OBE in aid of Luton & Beds Youth Association.
	Shel Mcrae former Lead Singer with The Fortunes joined Con, Dec and Victoria for a Charity Concert in aid of charity