I went and did it for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I was surprised by the relatively narrow age range of people giving blood. The vast majority of the people there were above their 40s at least I'd say, with only one or two around my age (early 20s). I suspect that a lot of older people have had experience of someone in their lives needing a blood transfusion, hence why they now give blood as they see how it can save someones life.
But why don't more young people do it? Why didn't I do it before now? There isn't a reason really and I wish I'd started going a few years earlier. It only takes, what, half hour of your time, hardly hurts at all and yet could save a life. It would be good if in some way more younger people could be encouraged to do it.
I go to Shoreham and just turn up. THere's always going to be gaps and if you're sat there, they're not going to turn you away.