James Harrison, the Australian known as “the man with the golden arm” because of his prolific baby-saving blood donations, has died aged 88.

In his lifetime, Harrison rolled up his sleeve more than 1,100 times to give his plasma which was then used in 2.4m doses of anti-D medication to save at-risk newborn babies.

Harrison’s blood was special because it contained what the Australian Red Cross described as a “rare and precious” antibody, essential to make anti-D injections.

Anti-D injections are a life-saving medication given to RhD-negative mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies. Without it, their babies can suffer haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN), which can be fatal.