The challenge is between the navy, army, air force and Defence civilians to see who can give the most blood over a three-month period to the Australian Red Cross.

This year the aim is 4500 donations.

At 11am on Monday the blood van set up camp in the Nowra School of Arts car park.

Four volunteers from HMAS Creswell and four from HMAS Albatross rolled up their sleeves and accepted the challenge.

Last year over 400 blood donations were given to the Australian Red Cross Blood Services as part of the campaign in the South Coast region alone.

Rear Admiral Robyn Walker said the annual blood challenge, which brought together the defence community and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, would help thousands of people in need of blood.

“In the past five years the Defence Blood Challenge has grown in momentum and has become critical in encouraging the defence community to donate,” she said.

“The challenge is now in its sixth year and this year Defence aims to increase the level of overall donations.”

The Defence Force and the Blood Service have collaborated over the past three years on the development and supply of frozen blood products for use by Australian troops serving overseas.

Currently only one in 30 people give blood but one in three people will need blood in their lifetime.

A single blood donation can help at least three different patients and contribute to making up to 22 different products.