Why I volunteer...
“A friend of mine passed his ROSPA advanced riding test, and on one of our weekly jaunts on our own motorcycles (which always involve a coffee and cake stop!) he told me about this great charity which is made up of volunteers who transport blood, samples, etc. around the hospitals in the North East. I’ve since learned they also supply blood to the Great North Air Ambulance!
I decided to take my advanced ROSPA riding test last year, (as this is a requirement of riding the blood bikes), with the intention of becoming a Northumbria Blood bikes volunteer. I’m delighted to say that I achieved a gold standard pass, (special word of thanks to my biker pals for their guidance during our weekend ride outs, and of course to Ian my instructor for the ROSPA qualification, he was brilliant!). The reason I joined NBB was simply that I wanted to give something back to the NHS for the outstanding care I receive for my ongoing battle to control my Raynaulds, which causes my fingers and toes to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures. I cannot thank my GP and the specialist Doctors and Nurses at the Freeman hospital enough for their ongoing truly life changing care and support.
I initially joined as a volunteer rider, but since joining I have also attended a number of fundraising events, being quite a social person I love to be around people.
I guess just like everyone else, I have a busy lifestyle, family, work, hobbies etc., and the great thing for me is that being a volunteer for Northumbria Blood Bikes fits perfectly into this. It means that I’m able to book a bike shift when I know in advance what my work schedule is going to be. Also I can attend a NBB awareness/fundraising event as a volunteer at the weekend when family commitments allow.
Well no surprise here, of course the best thing I have experienced since joining the people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. From the overwhelming generosity I have witnessed from the general public at fundraising events. To the common bond shared by all members within our Blood Bike community. I really enjoy the craic and banter which goes on within the team at these events...it's brilliant!
The most memorable moment with the charity was my very 1st shift on my own with the blood bike, and I was waiting outside a Doctor’s surgery (I was a tad early…..eager of course!). A young mother approached me carrying a baby in her arms with a second child walking beside her holding her hand. As she came closer she stopped, and said “I want to thank you for the great work Blood Bikes do” I thanked her for her very kind words. She continued “what you don’t know is the blood you supplied helped to save my baby’s life” I was speechless. I guess being so new to this I had never really thought about this.
Are you still undecided about joining as a volunteer? Just do it, its life changing.
My name is Eamonn Toland and that’s why I volunteer for Northumbria Blood Bikes.”
To sign up or for more information on the roles visit: http://www.northumbriabloodbikes.org.uk/support/volunteer
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