I was commissioned by NHS Blood & Transplant to paint a mural of five inspiring blood donors, Samantha , Ronald, Lloyd, Jaydan and Torkwase  who between them have given blood more than 300 times.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the prevalence of sickle cell disease in the UK and encourage more Ro subtype donors – this is a blood type which is more common in individuals from Black African or Black Caribbean ethnic backgrounds and needed to treat patients with sickle cell disease.

Those with sickle cell disease produce unusually shaped red blood cells that can cause issues as sickle cells do not live as long as healthy blood cells and can block blood vessels. Sickle cell is among the fastest growing blood disorders in the UK, and disproportionately affects people of African and Caribbean heritage, according to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

Sickle cell is a very real and important issue that touches so many lives in the UK. I am grateful and humbled to have met these five incredible people who regularly give their blood to help patients with sickle cell, and I hope that this art will inspire more generous souls to come forward and save lives.

Stockwell Hall of Fame, 7 Aytoun Rd, London SW9