With 225 of the 1621 donations, Tylers Hardware Group won $500.

The Country Fire Authority came runners-up with 152 donations.

Team Aubrey Gentlemen’s Club followed with 89 donations.

Each donation can potentially save three lives. 

Tylers Hardware Group has won the challenge about six times since Hillross first issued it in 2004.

Group co-ordinator Adrian Tyler said the prize money would be donated to a Dunmunkle Health Services team in the Murray to Moyne cycle relay.

“It’s the third year we’ve done that,” he said.

“Before that, we donated the money to the Cancer Council.”

About 70 donors in Rupanyup and district contributed to the team effort.

“I would just like to emphasise how appreciative I am of the people who supported it,” Mr Tyler said.

He also thanked Hillross for running the challenge in the Wimmera for the past nine years.

The challenge will change format in the new year, shifting to a national approach.

Mr Tyler said teams would be registered online and cash incentives would not be offered.

Under the existing format, companies and community groups register their blood donations with Hillross.

Cash prizes go to the three groups which rolled up their sleeves most over the course of the calendar year.

The winnings are donated to a charitable cause or community fundraiser.

Fifty-three Wimmera groups took up the challenge this year, making 84 more donations than the previous year.