Exactly a week ago I did my first ever run for Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes. It was an urgent daytime frozen blood sample run from Stranraer Hospital through to DGRI on our Honda ST1100. Our Charity was asked to do this pioneering run, as it was felt that the service we provide was efficient enough for the sample to be transported and tested in a sufficient time window to be effective. Normally a patient would have required to have been transported on a 145 mile round trip between the hospitals in Dumfries & Galloway. To date this seems to have been a success, giving a great benefit to the patient and saving on ambulance resources too.
It means a lot to be able to volunteer. A few days following the birth of my daughter Eva (now 3), I ended up feeling very poorly and needed to have 3 blood transfusions. I was extremely grateful to the donors whose blood topped me up and made me feel all together human again. When I got better, I wanted to give blood in return but was saddened to learn that I couldn’t, as having been transfused meant that I wasn’t able to donate. I never donated before so it felt like a case of too little, too late.
When I joined the Charity I knew I’d be able to give something back time and time again – just like the very kind hearted people who helped me when I needed it most, not just the donors but also the hospital staff.
I feel very proud to be part of an amazing team of hardworking and dedicated volunteers who are all working together to make this new Charity such a worthwhile cause.
The best bit? Well I guess it has to be getting to ride motorbikes and helping people at the same time, now that definitely can’t be a bad thing.
If you would like join our team at Dumfries & Galloway Blood bikes, please get in touch or go to www.dgbloodbikes.org.uk. As well as riders, we also need people to take calls, fundraise and help out at events and other tasks too.
