THE FATHER of a popular teenager who received ten pints of blood in the battle to save his life after he was stabbed has urged the public to continue giving blood.

Ashley Woolley, 18, of Chelmsford, died after being stabbed by a classmate in Oaklands Park, in December 2014, but his family have since been working to raise awareness of how important donating blood can be.

Trevor Woolley, Ashley's father, has vowed to donate at least ten pints of blood in his son's memory.

Mr Woolley, 47, will make his fourth donation on May 10 at a session in Witham.

He said: "The campaign is still going strong.

"The need to donate blood is never ending, there will always be someone who needs it.

"It's not until you or someone you love needs it that you realise how vitally important it is."

Mr Woolley was thrilled by the turnout at a special donation session, organised by NHS Give Blood and the Weekly News, in September and said he continues to be delighted by the amount of people who are still donating in Ashley's name.

He said: "People are still getting in touch to tell me they have given blood in Ashley's name.

"I'm still so grateful to everyone who has given blood, whether its for Ashley or another cause, it's an amazing thing to do.

"It only takes about an hour and it does so much good.

"An hour of your time can literally save someone's life."

Donations sessions are being held at the Chelmsford Social Club tomorrow and at the Boswells School and the Mildmay Infant School on Sunday. Visit blood.co.uk to find out how to donate.