HOLLYWOOD A-Listers Ryan Reynolds, co-chairman of Wrexham AFC, and Jodie Comer are calling on film fans in to be great guys by registering to give blood.

The Free Guy stars feature in an NHS Blood and Transplant video encouraging people over the border in England to register to give blood because ‘there’s a little hero inside all of us’ – an overarching theme of the adventure-comedy releasing on August 13.

Free Guy tells the story of Guy, a bank teller portrayed by Reynold's who discovers he is actually a background character in an open-world video game. He decides to become the hero of his own story…one he rewrites himself. Now in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way.

In the light-hearted NHS video, which features clips from the movie, Ryan and Jodie discuss how giving blood ties in with the film’s message.

Ryan likens blood donors to Guy who ‘always gives 100 percent’ and urges people to download a digital Free Guy badge from NHS Blood Donation - which can be used by movie fans to promote their great guy act of blood donation on social media - while Jodie explains that every donation can save up to three lives.

The video – which closes with the message ‘your NHS needs great guys’ – can be viewed at www.blood.co.uk/freeguy.

It will be shared on NHS Blood and Transplant digital and social channels together with a link to the digital badge to encourage new and existing donors who are movie fans to donate and be a great guy. The content will also be shared on the Twentieth Century Studios’ social channels.

NHS Blood and Transplant hopes that the partnership with Twentieth Century Studios will reach people who may not have considered blood donation, particularly young people and men, who are especially needed.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “Giving blood is a lifesaving act and I’m grateful to the stars of Free Guy for helping to share that message.

“There is a real shortage of male and young people giving blood so we particularly need hero donors from those groups to help us save more lives.

“It’s quick, easy and safe and I’d encourage everyone who is able to consider registering to donate today.”

Zeeshan Asghar, National Partnerships Manager for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Just like Guy, blood donors choose to make a difference. They are everyday people who do something amazing - they save and improve lives by giving blood.

“The film’s themes of self-empowerment, being great and doing something good for others echo the motivations and rewards that our donors tell us about. We hope this exciting partnership with Twentieth Century Studios will inspire film fans and new audiences to be great guys by registering to donate.

“We’re delighted to have the support of Ryan and Jodie with their entertaining and engaging video about the lifesaving power of blood donation, which will help us to reach the people we need to become the donors of the future.

“The NHS needs 400 new donors every day to maintain the blood supply. We especially need more young people, black people and men to become donors. Please register today and book an appointment to start saving lives - your NHS needs great guys.”

It is important that young people continuously register as donors because as people get older they are less likely to be able to donate. Men are particularly important donors, as they make up most long-term blood donors. They are more likely to have lots of iron, so can donate more regularly than women. Men’s blood can also be more easily used for platelets, which are used to treat people in emergencies when they are bleeding a lot.

Blood is needed to treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery. Each donation can save or improve up to three lives.

Demand for blood is now rising as hospitals catch up on postponed treatments, and new and existing donors are being urged to make and keep an appointment over the summer to help ensure patients continue to get the lifesaving blood they need as life and the NHS returns to normal. To help meet this demand extra appointments have been added in key areas.

NHS Blood and Transplant has implemented landmark new individualised eligibility criteria for blood donation which allows many more people to donate while keeping blood just as safe. Anyone who has had the same sexual partner for the last three months is now eligible to donate providing other eligibility criteria are met. In particular, this change will enable more people from the LGBT+ community to donate.

• Become a blood donor. Register today and book and appointment by visiting www.blood.co.uk, downloading the GiveBloodNHS app or calling 0300 123 23 23.