Some of you may remember 19-year-old Richard Okorogheye first appeared in national news in April 2021 after disappearing from his home in London. He had sickle cell disorder and needed regular blood transfusions to stay well. Sadly, two weeks later, his body was found 20 miles away in Epping Forest.

In Richard’s memory, Bonded By Blood, a coalition of mothers who have seen the lifesaving power of blood first-hand, and blood charities, are urging more members of the Black community to donate blood.