Regional President Linda  welcomes ‘BLOOD BIKES’ to the Regional Meeting inside the Holiday Inn, Scotch Corner

Northumbria Blood Bikes is a registered charity established by local volunteers to deliver essential blood and urgent medical supplies, out of hours, between hospitals and other healthcare sites in North East England.

Northumbria Blood Bikes’ funding comes entirely from charitable donations, and the service is provided solely by volunteers, giving their own free time to help others.

In critical situations, blood or other medical items need to be delivered urgently in order to save a patient’s life. Blood bikes, with their distinctive livery, emergency lights, and narrow profile, can quickly get through busy traffic to reach their destination.

Work to establish the group started in September 2012, and the team of dedicated volunteers, with live operations commencing in February 2014.  By the end of that year they were supporting hospitals across the whole of the region and since 2015 have also supported the Great North Air Ambulance Service with daily deliveries to its aircraft bases.  Nearly 10,000 deliveries in 2016.

In June 2017 Northumbria Blood Bikes was the proud recipient of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for voluntary groups – this recognises the value of the work, professionalism and dedication of the volunteers.