Uppingham Town Council clerk, Adam Lowe, plans to cycle across Rutland for Leicestershire and Rutland Blood Bikes to mark 100th blood donation

A town clerk who has been giving blood for more than three decades has embarked on a fundraising cycling challenge to mark his 100th donation.

Adam Lowe, clerk at Uppingham Town Council, began donating in his mid-20s after seeing a poster encouraging people to give blood due to shortages.

He made his 100th donation on Wednesday last week (June 25), and to mark the milestone, he has set off on a nearly two-month cycling challenge to raise money for Leicestershire and Rutland Blood Bikes.

The charity delivers blood to public health bodies in the area, including the air ambulance service.

Adam, a former Oakham mayor, hopes to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation and encourage others to get involved.

“I started donating because it seemed painless and it was a way to help others,” said the 61-year-old.

“In more recent months, my mum has become reliant on life-saving blood transfusions due to a long term health condition, which affected her kidney function.

“So blood doesn’t just go towards emergency operations, but also for routine treatments, including people who have kidney issues.”

As part of the challenge, Adam plans to visit all 16 Second World War pillboxes across Rutland, aiming to complete the journey by the end of August.

He kicked off the first leg on Friday (June 27), stopping at pillboxes in Burley Crescent and Whissendine.

Adam plans to visit one or two sites each week and is personally donating £25 for every pillbox he visits — bringing his contribution to a total of £400.

He hopes others can help boost the final total to between £500 to £1,000. To support Adam in reaching his goal, click here to donate.

Adam has been involved in fundraising efforts for more than 30 years and has raised about £25,000 for charity over that time.

He said: “I am fortunate to have the capacity and the ability to give my time and effort to raise money.

“So to do something which helps organisations and other people, gives me a sense of fulfilment.”

Adam is planning on continuing to donate blood.