The Bulgarian Red Cross, Sofia council and the National Centre of Transfusion Haematology are holding a blood drive tomorrow, Wednesday 11 November, for people hurt in the serious pile-up crashes on the Trakia motorway, the Red Cross said.

People can give blood from 8am to 2pm at the centre, at 112 Bratya Miladinovi Street, where those joining the drive will have a separate area. Donating is voluntary and free, and the blood will be used to treat the injured. The organisers call on everyone who meets the medical requirements to come, and thank every donor who turns up.

Donors must be healthy, aged 18 to 65, weigh more than 50kg and have taken no medicine in the past 48 hours. At least 60 days must have passed since the last donation. Men can give blood up to five times in a calendar year, women up to four. Donors must rest and eat first, because blood is not taken on an empty stomach.

Everyone who wants to give blood fills in a health questionnaire, has a medical check and a preliminary test. A doctor on site decides whether the person can donate. An ID card is needed. People on prescribed treatment should not stop taking their medicine on their own in order to donate.