Why I volunteer…

“I can't remember how I first heard about Northumbria Blood Bikes. I had been trying to get involved with the service for quite a while, (feeling sure that the North East must have something similar to other areas), before eventually stumbling upon Northumbria Blood Bikes. I must have been using the wrong search engine.

I joined just before we 'went live'. Think I did a couple of fundraisers and then went to the Angel of the North photo shoot where I met Ken Tait (another newbie). Ken started riding straight away; I had to wait a bit longer for my advanced qualification. I'm retired, I ride a motorbike, and getting involved with community things is something bikers seem to do.

So, I started out by helping at fundraisers - still enjoy doing that. Then began riding after getting my advanced qualification and convincing Geoff, (our Rider/Driver Officer), that I was safe enough to be let loose. I was then asked if I might like to taking over the role of organising the talks after Owain, (was our Publicity Officer), retired from the committee. I hesitated about that, I'm not a natural organizer or administrator, but I think it's beginning to work.

There are times when I think I don't have enough time to do what is needed; I do have another life (several, in fact) outside of Northumbria Blood Bikes.  I remind myself of the work that has been done to get the Charity to where it is in such a short time-span by a very hard working committee, past and present, and I stop whining (for a while, anyway).

I couldn’t possibly put my finger on one thing that I could class as my ‘best’ experience. I've met a bunch of people whose company I enjoy, the kindness of the public at fundraisers never ceases to amaze, the response you get from the staff in the hospitals, there are many 'best' experiences and I get to ride nice, new motorbikes.

The one thing that sticks in my mind and I keep going back to is a delivery of Platelets to Darlington Hospital where they were waiting for me at the front door to rush them off to Theatre for the patient who was on the operating table. Kind of brings it home how important our Charity can be.

And lastly, the one thing I would say to somebody who is thinking of joining/volunteering is: Do it!

My name is Nigel Barlow and that’s why I volunteer for Northumbria Blood Bikes."

Nigel Barlow, along with our other, ‘guest speakers’ receive such positive feedback from the groups they give ‘talks’ to. These ‘talks’ are just one of the so called behind the scenes or not often recognised roles undertaken by our volunteers and we can’t thank them enough. If you are part of a group or club that would like to find out more about Northumbria Blood Bikes please visit: http://www.northumbriabloodbikes.org.uk/contact/Request_A_Speaker

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