Ten years ago, a small group of eight determined individuals planted a seed of hope and community spirit. Today, that seed has flourished into an incredible force for good — Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes (DGBB).
To mark this amazing milestone, DGBB invites everyone to join them for a special 10-Year Anniversary Gala at the Cairndale Hotel on June 7th, 2025. Tickets are £45 and are available by contacting [email protected]. It promises to be a night of celebration, gratitude and looking ahead to an even brighter future.
Born from a simple idea in 2014, DGBB officially became a charity in early 2015 and began operations on June 1st, 2015. Since then, it has grown into a vital lifeline for patients across the region, with around 150 dedicated volunteers, a fleet of fifteen motorcycles and nine cars, and an unwavering mission: to deliver life-saving support whenever and wherever it is needed — always free of charge.
This year, DGBB proudly celebrates not only its 10th anniversary but also a breathtaking achievement — over two million miles travelled and 13,500 urgent runs completed for the NHS, patients, and communities across Dumfries and Galloway. Each journey — an average of 150 miles — represents a critical link in a patient’s care, a story of compassion on two wheels or four.
While many imagine Blood Bikes simply transporting blood, the reality is far greater. Volunteers ferry urgent blood samples for diagnosis, deliver life-saving medications to hospitals, clinics, and patients’ homes, and transport essential medical supplies across the region, including daily missions to Glasgow, sometimes carrying up to 300 precious samples at a time.
None of this would be possible without the extraordinary support from the people of Dumfries and Galloway. Through local donations, supermarket grants, and vital assistance from the NHS Charity Fund — especially during the difficult days of COVID-19 — DGBB has been able to keep its wheels turning. Notably, the Charity receives no government funding; every mile travelled is powered by community generosity and the passion of its volunteers.
As DGBB looks to the next ten years, they are urgently seeking new volunteer riders and drivers, especially in the west of the region. Full training is provided, and thanks to the Hospital League of Friends, volunteers can access support towards gaining advanced riding or driving qualifications.
If you are looking for a way to make a real difference, to be part of a life-saving journey, there has never been a better time to join the DGBB family. Find out more at www.dgbloodbikes.org.uk, on Facebook, or by emailing [email protected].
Julie White, Chief Executive NHS D&G, said:
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to this amazing organisation for all that they do for NHS Dumfries and Galloway and the thousands of patients lives they make a difference to every year. The service they provide is invaluable, and their hard work and commitment continues to be remarkable ten years on from when they first began operations.
Many congratulations on their anniversary. I wish DG Blood Bikes a fantastic time celebrating what is a significant achievement and a very special milestone for them as an organisation and as a charity.”
Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes — ordinary people doing extraordinary things, every single day.
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