15 years on, he’s hanging up his blood bag

15 years on, he’s hanging up his blood bag

Hundreds of Kiwis can say they are alive today thanks to the hard work of one New Plymouth teacher, Peter Costello. For over fifteen years the maths and religious studies teacher has been the driving force behind student blood donations at Francis Douglas Memorial College.

“The school has been involved with New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) for over 25 years, from back when it was still located at Taranaki Base Hospital,” he says. “Our support just grew from there.”
And grown it has, with the school now sending as many students as they can to local blood drives when they come to town. The number of willing blood donors has increased over the years, Peter says. While the school does its best to cater to everyone, it operates on a first come, first served basis as there are often far more volunteers than spaces available on the NZBS vans.
“There is a real strong willingness and joy of helping others among the students that is great to see,” he says.
“Part of our ethos at the school is to think outside ourselves. We are only a small part of a global village, and the boys are more than happy to contribute.”
In addition to sending students to local blood drives, Peter has also organised for the NZBS mobile blood drive to visit the college several times over the years, setting up in the gym.
“They would come to the school for several hours at a time and the students would turn up in droves,” says Peter.
“Even the odd incident where a student has gone a bit pale afterwards hasn’t put them off.”
Despite not currently being able to donate blood himself, Peter is constantly encouraging his family and friends to become blood donors and hopes his story will encourage other schools and organisations to get involved.
“The Blood Service is really easy to work with. There is always a positive, community-orientated vibe that adds a positive dimension to our Kiwi lifestyle. We always feel so appreciated, and that makes it so much easier.”
After 40 years at the college Peter is retiring at the end of the year, with plans to train as a Spiritual Director, do some travel and play a bit of golf. But despite Peter hanging up his blood bag, the college will continue to support NZBS with another teacher taking up the post.
Peter’s legacy at the school and his work alongside NZBS will live on through the thousands of Kiwis whose lives have been saved by the generous blood donors from Francis Douglas Memorial College.