A mother who needed blood from 88 donors after giving birth is encouraging Scots to give blood.

Fiona Christie’s daughter Rosa was born in November 2009. During the birth, Ms Christie, 34, suffered a haemorrhage and lost three times her blood.

Doctors used donations from 88 different people to keep her alive.

Now, Ms Christie, from Edinburgh, has joined the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) to call on new donors to come forward. There is a shortage of young donors between the ages of 17 and 21.

On Tuesday, she said: "My daughter Rosa was born on Friday 13th November 2009. Immediately following her birth I suffered a massive haemorrhage. In total I bled for almost seven hours, losing three times my whole blood volume. It is a miracle that I am alive.

"My doctor told me that I had suffered one of the worst bleeds after giving birth seen in recent years. I received blood products from 88 donors including red cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelets.

"Particularly at this time of year, I think about those 88 people who saved me. Without them, my beautiful little girl Rosa would be growing up without her Mummy, and I think of all of the Christmas times we would have missed together.

"The people who gave blood may not remember what they did for me, but my family and I will never forget their actions."

Last year, 15,813 young people registered to give blood but more volunteers are needed, particularly over the festive period.

Keith Thompson, National Director, SNBTS said: "The festive season increases the pressure on the blood supply which is why we are asking new and especially young donors who have never given blood before, to act now.

"The number of new donors in Scotland has declined in the last three years and that's why young donors are increasingly important in making sure we always have enough blood for patients in Scotland."

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon met Ms Christie and her daughter on Tuesday.

She said: "Meeting Fiona and her daughter, Rosa, this morning is an incredible example of how important blood donation is. We know that the number of blood donors can often drop over the Christmas period, but the need for blood does not. That's why we need more young donors to come forward over the next few weeks and also to continue to donate, this important group are vital to protect the blood supply of the future."

To register as a blood donor or to find out where your nearest donation session is, call 0845 90 90 999, text 'blood' to 61611, or visit www.scotblood.co.uk.