Otley’s MP is urging local schools to get involved in a campaign to educate young people about the lifesaving importance of bone marrow, blood and organ donors.

Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) says charity Anthony Nolan’s talks in school and colleges has already led to thousands of students joining the bone marrow register.

The group also works with NHS Blood and Transplant and uses its visits to educational centres to dispel myths and increase knowledge about blood stem cell, bone marrow, blood and organ donation.

Mr Mulholland is keen for Wharfedale and Aireborough’s schools to also play a part.

He said: “Volunteering to be a life-saving match for a stranger is a remarkable thing to do, and a great chance to participate in civil society.

“Having worked with many schools in and around Leeds over the years, I know how dedicated and inspirational our young people are and believe that given the opportunity, they would want to know how they could help to save a life.

“I hope that the talks at schools in Leeds North West that are given by volunteers from the Anthony Nolan campaign help to encourage more young people to register and be a lifesaver.”

Register and Be a Lifesaver programme lead at Anthony Nolan, Katie Day, added: “It’s fantastic to see MPs such as Greg becoming so engaged with the cause.

“We know that young people are the most likely to be chosen as donors so it’s very important they know how they can potentially save a life.

“We hope more local schools will sign up to our education programme and help us to educate their students about becoming lifesavers.”

Since starting in 2009, the campaign has reached over 122,000 students with some 6,500 going on to join the bone marrow register, with eight, so far, donating to help a patient in desperate need of a transplant.

Nearly 7,700 students have also joined the blood donor register, while more than 2,500 have signed up as organ donors. For more information, visitanthonynolan.org.