A FATHER whose life was saved by a massive blood transfusion is competing in the Great North Run to recruit more donors.

Instead of pounds and pennies, Mike Livermore, 41, from Newton Aycliffe, will guarantee ten extra donors for the National Blood Service if he completes the famous halfmarathon in September.

Mr Livermore, who needed 24 units of blood after suffering internal haemorrhaging three years ago, is among the first runners to be allowed to wear a National Blood Service (NBS) shirt in the event.

He is one of about 5,000 North-East donors barred from giving any more blood because of a potential link to vCJD contamination but is backing The Northern Echo's Lifeblood Appeal to bring in new blood.

"I really feel strongly about this, if it wasn't for other donors I would not have pulled through.

"Thanks to them I have had three years extra life, " he said.

Until this year, the NBS, a government-funded group that runs the blood donor service, has not taken part in the run.

Unlike popular charities, the NBS is not allowed to accept financial sponsorship.

But to get around the problem of supporters wishing to run in an NBS shirt, this year the service has applied for and successfully obtained 25 places.

Penny Richardson, northern spokeswoman for the NBS, said: "This is the first time we have had runners in the Great North Run. Quite a few are staff and some are donors All of them are being asked to bring in at least ten new donors."

She praised Mr Livermore's previous contribution to blood supplies and expressed regret that he , like many others, would no longer be able to give blood because he had a blood transfusion.

Experts have advised the Government to exclude those who have received blood since 1980 because of concern that vCJD might be spread through transfusions.

Mr Livermore is delighted that his son Curt, 11, and daughter Cloe, ten, will run in the junior GNR event.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Mr Livermore by agreeing to become a long-term blood donor can e-mail him at run forblood@aol. com To find out more about the National Blood Service, or to run in its name, ring (0845) 771 1711.