On Friday, the now retired toolmaker made his 300th donation.

"It's the one thing I can do that can possibly help somebody else, and it doesn't hurt, and doesn't cost me anything," the Bonny Hills man said.

Mr Clark received a recognition certificate and box of chocolates to mark the milestone.

One in three Australians will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, while one in 30 Australians gives blood each year.

Mr Clark would to see increased blood donation rates.

"It annoys me the number of people I've tried to get to come and donate, and they have silly little excuses," he said.

"To me, when you think what good it can do, what's a little prick in the arm?

"It is nothing."

Mr Clark has donated whole blood, plasma and platelets over the years at donor centres including Parramatta, Chatswood and Port Macquarie.

Most people are able to give blood if they are fit and healthy, aged between 16 and 70, and weigh more than 50 kilograms.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service needs more people to give blood leading up to the Australia Day long weekend to help prevent a blood shortage.

Community relations officer Greg French said the Australian Red Cross Blood Service in Port Macquarie needed to fill 135 available appointments between January 18 and January 26.

Appointments are especially needed on January 18, January 21, January 22 and January 23.

Platelets are the shortest-lived blood components. 

They last for just five days, and can't be stockpiled but platelets are largely used by cancer and trauma patients who need them all year round.

Some 32 per cent of donated blood in Australia goes to treating patients with cancer.

"To ensure a constant and stable supply of blood we are calling on local residents to offer a 

life-saving blood donation between 18th and 26th January," Mr French said.

"Giving blood takes just an hour of your time and it feels great."

Call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au to book an appointment.