Nev Cowgill once gave blood while lying in the shade of an aeroplane wing aboard a Navy carrier berthed in Manila Harbour.

On Monday, however, the surroundings were much more sedate, as he offered up his arm for his 172nd (officially recorded) donation at the Red Cross mobile blood van in Bega.

It was also his last.

Now that he’s about to turn 81, Mr Cowgill can not continue to donate as per Australian Red Cross Blood Service rules.

“My use-by date has arrived,” he said with a wry chuckle.

Given a healthy person can only donate once every 12 weeks at most, even reaching 100 is an achievement the Red Cross Blood Service said.

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