‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...well except for a few devoted Blood Bike volunteers.

Unlike Santa they won’t be travelling around the globe, but around the North East of England, they will be delivering packages just as important and eagerly awaited.

So, as you wake up to open your gifts with your family in the morning they may just have delivered urgent medical supplies or blood.

That isn’t abnormal for our team but in our eyes it is just as magical in its own rights.

As Northumbria Blood Bikes approach the start of 252 hours of service, with just over a week until the big day, the volunteers have began by spreading festive cheer to children in our North East Hospitals. It all started last year with the first Northumbria Blood Biking Santa run. After months of organisation the team rallied donations of gifts and toys to deliver to children. Many of those children unfortunately find themselves spending Christmas in hospital undergoing specialist care.

News was received that NBB were extremely successful with the Tesco Consett bags of help voting during September, and October. We came first in the vote and will be receiving £4000.

Fantastic news again, from our third Tesco blue token voting. Each of the grants that NBB has received will go towards funding new bikes for next year.

This achievement is something that the NBB should be extremely proud of. Its wonderful to know that the support that NBB has in the community is amazing and grows with each shift, talk or publicity event we do.

This weekend has seen not one but two of our newest fleet additions taking to the roads for their first operational shifts. As well as our new bike our new Octavia Scout joined our other one serving those who needed our help this weekend.