I first came into contact with Northumbria Blood Bikes after a chance meeting at Bikewise 2014. As one of the Community Champions at Tesco Consett Genesis Extra I am always on the look out for good causes that I can support through my job role. After finding out more about the role the Blood Bikes pay in delivering urgent medical supplies & blood around the North East I chose to become a fundraising volunteer in my own time. As I am not a rider I may not be able to deliver supplies but without fundraising the Blood Bikes wouldn't be able to cover the cost of providing this service. Each role relies on another & fundraising is essential to getting the bikes on the road. Sparing a few hours to man a stall at a supermarket or community event enables the service to continue. If you thought that as a non rider you couldn't help then think again & why not volunteer your time at their next fundraising event?

I've built up contacts through my day job & I've been able to ask if the Blood Bikes could attend events that are happening around the area. Just mentioning the amazing work the Blood Bikes provide in my everyday life has lead to an invite to the Derwentside Rotary Club, Dobbies at Birtley & a local school fair. You might be the link to the next vital fundraising or awareness event that we could attend.

Last year I took part in my first Great North Run & by the time I'd crossed the finish line I had chosen the Blood Bikes as the charity to run for next this year. After making this decision I convinced my colleague Clair Gray & my neighbour Claire Wilkie to join the GNR15 team. Clair Gray & I held a charity event in February this year with the money we raised split between Northumbria Blood Bikes & Bright Red Lee Robson Patient Grant, (as Clair is climbing the 3 peaks of Morocco for them next year). We raised over £2000 & already have our next charity night planned for October this year (tickets are available now so please contact me). We have also held a bag pack in our store which raised another £600 & on a previous occasion invited the Blood Bikes into the store with an awareness stand. They supported the Easter Egg presentation we held at our store for the children who attend Villa Real Special Needs School even though it wasn't going to raise any funds but out the goodness of their hearts they supported me.

So many of the volunteers give up their time to support in anyway they can & it's also a great opportunity to meet some lovely new people. The Northumbria Blood Bikes have welcomed me with open arms into their family & I am proud to support them in every way I can. Thank you to all the volunteers that help to support our charity you are an inspiration.