“In August 2015 a friend messaged me the BBC news article. From here I joined Northumbria Blood Bikes but needed to gain my advanced bike test.
I joined as a volunteer following a close friend being diagnosed with cancer and seeing how much the NHS helped her and seeing how much the NHS were in need of help themselves.
I’m currently a rider and fundraiser. Mainly on weekend but will help where necessary and during holidays.
“I first heard about Northumbria Blood Bikes at a Bike Show with a mate (David Richardson). Both of us ended up volunteering for NBB soon afterwards, can’t remember exactly, but early 2014 probably. I joined because I think the work is essential, I wanted to give something back, I wanted to meet interesting people, and I love riding - what’s not to love?
Mainly I’m a rider at the moment, although a bit of fundraising and I ought to be a driver too. I do find it difficult to fit in volunteering, if I am honest, but I do what I can and when I can.
“I first heard about Blood Bikes from a television program that was re-run about a blood bike group in the south of the country. I have been involved with the charity since January 2016, gaining my advanced car and bike qualifications in February & March respectively. I joined as I remember thinking during the television program that was on that it must be very rewarding to give your time to such a worthy cause and I was right! I am a Rider, Driver, Coordinator, Speaker and I also shadow new members if requested to settle them into their first shift.
Congratulations to our Vice Chairman Barry Bullas! Today he attended the Royal Investiture at Buckingham Palace to be presented with his M.B.E for Services to Public Administration and Charity. #volunteersweek #bloodbikes #makeadifference
“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.
