SPORTING stars are urging Huddersfield people to Sign Up For Sudders and join the bone marrow donor register.

Huddersfield Town players are asking people to sign up as donors at a National Blood Service clinic at the Galpharm Stadium on July 27.

Strikers Phil Jevons and Keigan Parker, midfielder James Berrett and goalkeeper Alex Smithies have joined for the Sign Up For Sudders campaign.

The campaign is being fronted by 27-year-old Examiner journalist Adrian Sudbury, who is dying from leukaemia.

Adrian’s last wish is to get more people signed up as donors on the UK’s two bone marrow registers.

One is run by the NBS, which is part of NHS Blood and Transplant, and one by the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Adrian also wants compulsory education on blood, bone marrow and organ donation for people aged up to 18.

The July 27 clinic will be the fourth held as part of the Sign Up For Sudders campaign. Two have been held by the Anthony Nolan Trust in Huddersfield and another in the House of Commons.

In total, 97 new donors have been signed up at the clinics alone.

At the NBS clinic there will be time for about 100 people to give blood and also sign up as bone marrow donors.

Rachel Hollingworth, from NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We are delighted that the players from Huddersfield Town have thrown their support behind the session for Adrian.

“I hope all their supporters are inspired to come along to donate on the day or even just find out more about donation. Fans often say they would give blood for their club. This is your chance to do just that!”

To join their register – known as the British Bone Marrow Register – you must be aged 18 to 49, in good health and be eligible to give blood.

Simply ask the nurse before your main donation session and an extra sample of blood will be taken and a form filled in to register you as a bone marrow donor.

If you cannot sign up as a bone marrow donor remember you may be eligible to be a blood donor. To do so you need to be aged 17 to 60 and weigh more than 7stone 12lb (50 kilograms).

There will also be information available on the day about how you can sign up as an organ donor.

Medical experts will be there to give advice.

Adrian urged people to go along to the clinic.

He said: “We need as many people as possible to join the bone marrow register in order to give a chance to the 16,000 people out there who are waiting for a transplant.

“Lots of people think donating is a horrific procedure that puts them at risk. But that’s not true at all. If you can’t donate bone marrow you may still be able to help by giving blood. I have had a lot of blood to keep me going and without those donors I wouldn’t be here today.

Lynda Hamlyn, Chief Executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, said Adrian’s campaign had already helped raise awareness of donation and she hopes the clinic will build on that.

“Adrian’s campaign has clearly inspired many people to think about saving and improving lives through donation.

“We welcome his campaign – education and raising awareness about donation is critical, especially for young people, the donors of the future.

“I’d like to encourage the people of Huddersfield to give this session at the Galpharm Stadium their full support, either by donating or just coming down to find out more.”

The session runs from 11.30am to 2.30pm. You should go to the main reception at the stadium if you want to attend.

You can book an appointment for the day by calling 0845 7 711 711 or visiting www.blood.co.uk

You can also find out about alternative donation clinics in your area via this helpline and website.

The Examiner’s petition to improve bone marrow education has hit its target of 10,000 signatures.

The petition, on the Downing Street website, calls for the Government to ensure all 17 and 18-year-olds to be educated as standard about bone marrow donation.

The petition was started just two months ago. It does not officially close until July 23 – so there is still time to add your signature. Visit: visit http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/bone-marrow.