Why I volunteer…

“I first heard about Northumbria Blood Bikes when I was looking to link up with Northumbria Advanced Motorcyclists, as we had just moved back into the area after living in North Wales for the past 20yrs. I saw the link between them and NBB and as I was due to retire I thought 'that would be worth volunteering for. That was in January 2016.

I joined as a rider initially but once I'd done a couple of 'cold shifts' I thought that it doesn’t make sense having to stop a shift due to the weather so I decided to take my car IAM. I passed that in May so I'm now a driver as well. However, I am yet to do a car shift. Coordinator training is next on my list. 

At the moment volunteering fits into my daily life ok. Since I've been retired I'm finding I'm a bit busier then when I worked, so I'm still trying to get the life balance right. 

The ‘best’ thing I’ve experienced since joining is just the thought of putting something worthwhile back into the community and knowing how important what you do will/could save someone's life. You get to chat to likeminded people when on shift and knowing what you do matters. 

Considering becoming a volunteer? Just do it. It will fit around your life because it's flexible.

My name is William Deacon (Bill) and that is why I volunteer for Northumbria Blood Bikes.”

#VolunteersWeek #MakeADifference

Photograph of Bill doing the 'distinguished gentleman's ride' in support of prostate cancer.