I start by congratulating Fulton MacGregor on securing this important debate. I always enjoy his members’ business debates and the campaigns that he works on, because not only does he bring the problems to the chamber but, often, he brings the solutions, too. I strongly associate myself with the calls that he has made on the Government, which all seem to be reasonable and practical steps that could make a real difference.

It is a pleasure to follow Paul McLennan, who has inspired me to get on and book an appointment to give blood. I was a regular donor in the past—I started when I was at school—and then, probably exactly as Fulton MacGregor mentioned, I was one of those people who got out of the way of it during the pandemic. I think that I have done it once since the pandemic. Although it is worth while and important to contribute to the debate and to encourage the Government to act, those of us who can should be looking to roll up our sleeves, and I reflect on the fact that I have not been good at doing that. Therefore, I am very grateful to the 112,251 active donors in Scotland, who make time to do that.

However, as we have heard, we are still facing on-going donation blood shortages, which is why it is really important that organisations such as Give Blood 4 Good play their important role in raising awareness. We must also recognise their ability to reach out in a different way. In the past, many initiatives have relied on adverts on the backs of buses or broadcast during television programmes, flyers posted through doors, or word of mouth. If we want to reach young people and a new audience, we need to meet people where they are. That is what is so good and inspiring about this initiative—it recognises the need to do that underlying work.

As we have heard, giving blood is life changing for both the donor and the person receiving the blood. In the speeches so far, we have heard about the range of people who need blood, often unexpectedly, after an operation, complications during childbirth or a serious accident. It could be a child battling cancer or a victim of a car crash. If we found ourselves or our families in any of those situations, we would be absolutely desperate to know that a blood transfusion was available, but that relies on each and every one of us playing our part.

It is interesting to reflect on the fact that, in other areas of medicine, lots of new treatments have become available and there have been lots of medical advances that have led to different types of care, but blood cannot be manufactured en masse. There is no laboratory that can step in to do that. We are the one source of this life-preserving fluid, which is what makes blood donation and increasing the number of blood donors so important. That is why the steps that have been outlined should be taken.

I pay tribute to the friends and family of Patrick Smith, whose example stands as an inspiration to us all. They can take a great deal of comfort in the organisation that has grown around him and the number of lives that, as Fulton MacGregor said, have potentially been saved. I hope that we will hear from the Minister that at least some of the points that Fulton MacGregor set out are things that the Government can act on.