“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 Northumbria Blood Bikes as a volunteer rider in 2015; after I found out about the charity when they were fundraising at Sainsbury’s in Durham. I love riding, and thought this was a good way to combine that with giving something back. Other than driving I’ve done every aspect of our roles. I try to do a bit of everything for the charity, time permitting, and hope to do my advanced driving at some point to get the full toolset.
“I heard about Northumbria Blood Bikes via their website. I had previously been looking into assisting another group (SERV OBN) before taking up a new job in Northumberland. I saw it as an opportunity to do something to help in the community, while indulging my passion for riding motorbikes!
I’m a rider at the moment, although I have also completed coordinator training in the past. I also assist with fundraising where I can (and where I’m not needed for an operational shift).
“I watched a television program about the NABB, (Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes), on TV and looked up Northumbria Blood Bikes on the web, it was still early days having just launched but it was something I just had to get involved with.
“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.
Northumbria Blood Bikes proudly launches the inaugural 360 Challenge for motorcyclists. A ride to the extremities of our operational area to raise funds for NBB.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service is starting a car based service on a Friday & Saturday nights to provide emergency cover at busy times when the helicopter doesn’t fly. The Blood on Board service will be extended to include the car allowing trauma specialists working with GNAAS save even more lives, by delivering emergency blood directly to the scene of life-threatening accidents.
To support the extension of the Blood on Board service, Northumbria Blood Bikes will be delivering an extra cool box on Thursday and Friday evenings.
