Mr James Law, 61, has now given blood a total of 217 times, more than any other donor in Singapore.

He is the first recipient of a Medal For Life award, given on Saturday (June 13) by the Singapore Red Cross for having donated more than 200 times.

Mr Law did not set out with such lofty ambitions.

The bachelor first gave blood when he joined the army in 1968 and the mobile blood bank came visiting one day.

'I didn't know anything about blood donation all. We were in between exercises in camp and they rounded us all up and told us that those who wanted to go and donate blood would be given half a day's rest.'

That was reason enough to put his hand up. However, the retired captain and civilian IT systems administrator for the military has not rested when it comes to giving blood.

Read the full report in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.