Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen was among almost 100 blood donors who gave the "gift of life" on Good Friday.

They donated at the Drops of Life blood drive, a new initiative that aims to sign up 5,000 regular donors by the end of the year.

Yesterday's event was held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre and organised by the LoveSingapore network of churches, which intends to make the blood drive an annual initiative.

Pastors, church members and soldiers from the Singapore Armed Forces all gave blood yesterday.

The event will continue until Monday and is open from 10am to 4pm.

Members of the public can also donate at blood banks in Dhoby Ghaut, Woodlands, Jurong East and Outram.

Pastor Lawrence Khong, chairman of LoveSingapore, said Good Friday was the day Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for humanity.

He urged people to follow Christ's compassionate example by "donating our own life-giving blood", pointing out that only 2 per cent of the population here are blood donors.

"We want to motivate and mobilise family and friends, colleagues and neighbours... to donate blood, simply because blood donation is a life-giving act of kindness," he said.