The second annual Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Mid Coast Clubs Challenge kicked off on Tuesday, September 1 and sees Club Taree, Taree Aquatic Club, Club West, Club Old Bar, Wingham Services Club and Forster Tuncurry Golf Club compete for bragging rights, but more importantly save lives.

Taree Aquatic Club administration manager Lorraine Lisle said staff will make frequent and quick trips up Macquarie Street to donate.

"This challenge is great because we are so close to the centre," Lorraine said.

There are simply ways for apprehensive staff to still participate.

"If you're worried about needles, all you need to do is look away," she said.

She hoped more people in the Manning would add blood donations to their regular routine.

"I really think more people should do it," Lorraine said.

Club Taree first linked up with Lifeblood Taree (formerly Taree Blood Bank) in 2015 for the Red25 initiative.

The club's chief executive Morgan Stewart said staff were keen to take part in this year's clubs challenge.

"It's a great community thing to do and our guys love doing it," Morgan said.

"It's something anyone can do so we want to encourage and support blood donating.

"The best part about it is getting the text to say where your blood is being used."

The club won the inaugural challenge in 2019 with 45 donations.

"We'll see if we can go back-to-back," the club's brand and communications manager Paul Allan said.

"It's great to be a representative of the community and provide such a valuable thing."

Almost 130 donations, which saved more than 380 lives, were made during the bushfire impacted challenge.

Lifeblood's Gilly Paxton thanked the clubs and donors for their ongoing support.

"The need for blood is constant in Australia, with Lifeblood needing to collect 31,000 donations a week to ensure some of the most vulnerable patients in Australia get the treatment they need," Gilly said.

"It only takes around an hour to donate blood and that donation helps save lives."

The challenge will finish on Monday, November 30.

Of course, you don't need to be from a service club to donate during this time.

To donate blood and/or plasma, call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au, call 13 14 95 or download the Donate Blood app.

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