Breast milk

Why? The milk can be given to premature and sick babies. One ounce can feed a premature baby for a day and a half.

How? Contact a milk bank. They prefer that donors have given birth within the past six months as their milk is more suitable for pre-term babies. Donors express at home, and all milk is heat-treated.

More information UK Association for Milk Banking,020-8383 3559; www.ukamb.org

Hair

Why? Donations of hair, sent by post, go towards the production of natural wigs and hairpieces for children suffering alopecia and hair loss through cancer treatment. It takes the hair of about ten people to make one wig.

How? Hair should be at least 12in long, clean, in good condition and tied neatly. There's no age limit; coloured hair is welcome.

More information www.littleprincesses.org.uk ; US charity Locks of Love also wants UK donations, www.locksoflove.org .

Bone

If you're having a hip replacement it's possible to donate the bone that's removed to a nationwide live bone programme.

Why? Donations are used for patients who have lost bone due to an accident, disease or surgery.

How? The scheme is widespread; there are 45 dedicated hospitals in England and North Wales. Ask if your local hospital is part of the live bone programme.

More information www.blood.co.uk

Amniotic membrane

Pregnant woman having an elective Caesarean section can donate amniotic membrane for use in eye surgery, but only at Chase Farm Hospital in North London.

Why? It can be used as a dressing to cover a damaged cornea or as carrier tissue to transfer healthy cells into a damaged eye. How? Speak directly to Chase Farm Hospital if you are due to have a baby in the area.

More information 0845 1114000; www.bcf.nhs.uk

Eggs and sperm

Why? The UK has always needed more donations, but a 2005 legislative change giving anyone who is donor-conceived the right to trace their biological parents at the age of 18 is thought to have further depleted public willingness. How? Contact the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority or National Gamete Donation Trust.

More information www.hfea.gov.uk or www.ngdt.co.uk

Blood and cord blood

Why? Last year the National Blood Service, which serves England and North Wales, collected from 1.6 million donors, equivalent to only 4 per cent of the population donating two or three times a year.

How? It takes an hour to donate a pint of blood. Existing donors can make donations of platelets, an essential component that helps blood to clot. This takes longer and is carried out at specialised centres. Cord blood is rich in stem cells that can help to treat leukaemia and sickle cell anaemia.

More information http://cord.blood.co.uk or call 020-8437 1740; www.welsh-blood.org.uk ; www.scotblood.co.uk ; www.nibts.org (for South Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland residents)

Kidney

Why? Since 2006 it has been possible to donate a kidney to a stranger but only a handful of people have done so.

How? Contact UK Transplant.

More information www.uktransplant.org.uk or call the Organ Donor Line 0845 6060400

Bone marrow

Why? It's needed by people affected by aplastic anaemia or leukaemia, or by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A donation takes place over one to two days.

How? Next time you give blood, ask to be added to the bone-marrow register.

More information The British Bone Marrow Registry, 0845 7711711 www.blood.co.uk ; The Anthony Nolan Trust, 020-7284 1234, www.anthonynolan.org.uk

Times recommends

• The grim reality of life as an air stewardess
• 50 of the world's best design blogs
• Video: Georgia Jagger on fashion and her mum's clothes