A couple organised a blood donation camp to benefit children with thalassaemia on Monday, a day after they got married.

Mayank Kothari, 28, and Khushali Matalia Kothari, 24, tied the knot on Republic Day at Ratan Lal Jain Smriti Bhawan on Ratu Road in the heart of the city. On Monday, they organised the blood donation camp at the same venue, where guests invited for their wedding had been put up.

Atul Gera, founder of voluntary organization Life Save and secretary of the state wing of the Thalassaemia Foundation, helped the couple organise the camp. “The couple started a new chapter of their life by giving a life,” Gera said.

Asked how many units were collected, he said: “As many as 12 people donated blood in the camp, and history was made in the city. Those who donated blood were guests who had come to participate in the wedding. The couple convinced them to donate their blood for a good cause.”

He added: “As far as I can remember, no other newly married couple (in the city) has undertaken such an unusual exercise to make their wedding memorable.”

Contacted over phone, Mayank said: “I wanted to begin my new life by giving life to someone. Thus I planned this camp for children suffering from thalassaemia, who do not have the capacity to generate blood for themselves and completely depend on others for blood. When I shared my plan with my wife she liked my idea and extended her full cooperation. Though due to low haemoglobin she could not donate blood herself, I got the opportunity to donate blood and am happy.”

Those who have thalassaemia produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.

Mayank, who runs a photo-framing shop, did his schooling from Bishop’s School, Bahu Bazar and his Plus Two from Gurunanak Senior Secondary School before his graduation from College of Commerce, Ahmedabad.

Khushali did her schooling from Balika Vidya Mandir, Jharia, and graduation in arts from RSP College, Jharia.