A WELSH crash survivor who needed 100 units of blood after a near-fatal road accident is urging people across Wales to donate during National Blood Donor Week.

Richard Jones, from Neath, lost a significant amount of blood after his truck hit a barrier and overturned in Carmarthenshire in 2020.

A passer-by, who was a former Army medic, used makeshift tourniquets to stem the bleeding, while other members of the public helped keep Richard conscious until the Wales Air Ambulance arrived.

Medics gave him six units of blood at the roadside before he was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Richard spent ten days in a coma and suffered devastating injuries, including a shattered hip, multiple fractures, a torn posterior cruciate ligament and severe trauma to both legs.

His right leg was later amputated above the knee because of a severed artery. Over the following weeks, he underwent nine major operations and needed a further 94 units of blood.

Now, during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from Monday, June 8, to Sunday, June 14, Richard is thanking the strangers whose donations helped save his life.

Richard said: “At the time, I had no idea how many people it would take to save my life.

“Looking back now, it’s overwhelming to think how many strangers stepped forward to help me.

“I would just like to say a huge thank you to anyone who donates blood. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.

“You never know whose life you’re going to save or change.”

During his recovery, Richard met his partner, Michaela. The couple are now proud parents to their young son, Dougie.

Since the crash, Richard has adapted to life with a prosthetic limb and continues to share his story in the hope of encouraging others to give blood.

Alan Prosser, Director of the Welsh Blood Service, said: “We always say one donation can save three lives, but in Richard’s case, it took a community of lifesavers.

“One hundred units is a staggering amount of blood for one person to receive. It is only possible because people generously give up an hour of their time to help people in need.

“National Blood Donor Week is the highlight of our annual calendar. However, the summer months can be especially challenging, with hot weather and more donors travelling abroad affecting donation levels.

“If you can do it, try giving blood this summer and help people in their time of need, just like our donors helped Richard.”

As part of this year’s campaign, the Welsh Blood Service is bringing back its Missing Type campaign.

First launched in Wales in 2016, the campaign saw brands, businesses, organisations and members of the public remove the letters A, B and O from names and logos to highlight the importance of blood groups.

Mr Prosser added: “The original campaign inspired people across Wales to remove the letters O, A and B from social media names and business logos, encouraging people to imagine a world without these critical blood types.

“The difference it made then, and the conversations it started, are exactly why it is returning now.”

The Missing Type campaign will run throughout June, with National Blood Donor Week at its centre.

To find out more or book a blood donation, visit www.wbs.wales/NBDW26

CALLS have been made for an urgent review of access to cash in Narberth after two town centre ATMs were closed.

Henry Tufnell MP and Cllr Marc Tierney say the popular market town has been left with just one cash machine, raising concerns for residents, visitors and local businesses.

Although cash can still be withdrawn from the Post Office, access is restricted to working hours and is unavailable for much of the weekend and on Bank Holidays.

Mr Tufnell said the closures came at a particularly difficult time, with Pembrokeshire entering the busy summer tourism period.

He said: “People in Narberth must be able to rely on access to cash. It is vital for the local economy. Residents, visitors and businesses all depend on cash for everyday transactions.

“The closure of two ATMs in the town centre has left Narberth with just a single machine. This is not good enough for my constituents, particularly as we enter the busiest period of the year for tourism.

“That is why I called for LINK, the body responsible for protecting access to cash across the UK, to carry out an access to cash assessment for Narberth as soon as possible.

“I am pleased that these calls have been listened to, and a review of cash access will be carried out in the coming weeks.

“Too often, our rural communities face poor access to vital banking services. I will continue to engage with constituents, local businesses, the council, LINK and colleagues in Parliament to ensure that everyone in Pembrokeshire can access the services they need.”

Cllr Tierney said he had been speaking to residents and businesses in recent weeks who were worried about the issue.

He said: “Narberth is a market town and an important hub for several smaller rural communities, so I am pleased that, following our calls for action, LINK will be reviewing the town’s access to cash.

“This will help to ensure that the needs of local residents and visitors are being met.

“I’m pleased to be working with Henry Tufnell MP on making the case for Narberth and Pembrokeshire communities, and will continue to keep residents updated.”

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to continue sharing their experiences of cash access in the town.

PUBLIC concerns about speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phone use and anti-social driving are being used to shape targeted roads policing operations across the Dyfed-Powys Police area.

Surveys submitted through Dyfed-Powys Connects are being combined with collision data and local intelligence to identify problem areas and plan enforcement activity.

Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams, Roads Policing Units and GoSafe are working together on the initiative, with monthly meetings held to review concerns raised by residents.

The operations will focus on offences including speeding, drink and drug driving, failing to wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving. Anti-social driving has also been highlighted by members of the public.

Offending motorists stopped during the operations may be offered roadside engagement or face enforcement action.

Police said drivers could be offered a free roadside engagement session or a fixed penalty, depending on the offence and circumstances. A seatbelt offence currently carries a £100 fine, while a speeding offence can result in a £100 fine and three penalty points.

Motorists who refuse to engage with officers, or who are found to be exceeding the speed limit by a greater margin, may be prosecuted.

GoSafe will also assist with targeted enforcement in surrounding areas. Offences recorded by GoSafe may result in an educational course or a fixed penalty, depending on eligibility.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “The information people give us through Dyfed-Powys Connects is invaluable. It lets our teams get into the heart of communities struggling with these issues.

“Connects is opening a new way for us to talk directly with people and have conversations that shape what our officers are doing.

“The more we get from people on Dyfed-Powys Connects, the more we can target this behaviour and make our roads safer for everyone.”

Dyfed-Powys Connects is free to sign up for and is available online or as an app. It provides local alerts about policing activity, crime, anti-social behaviour, events and prevention messages.

Police said the activity and results of the road safety operations will also be published through Dyfed-Powys Connects.