Why I volunteer…
A neighbour who has a shared interest in motorbikes mentioned the service which he had involvement with and it sparked an interest in me to enquire and pursue it.
I joined Northumbria Blood Bikes in March 2024 as I wanted to do more to help people, to give something back. I also really enjoy riding motorcycles. It was a good fit.
I am a volunteer rider for the charity.
I typically volunteer one mid week evening every week or two and one sat or sun day shift typically once or twice a month. It’s flexible and that works well for me.
The best thing I have experienced since I joined is that I find the connection with others very rewarding; fellow volunteers, healthcare workers, and members of the public.
The service is only possible due to the hard efforts of many people in multiple volunteer roles (not just riders/drivers) and a good working relationship with multiple NHS facilities and departments. Meeting and working with all these people has been enriching.
On many occasions, both on duty and while travelling around the UK, I’ve had members of the public talk to me about blood biking and thanking me for the service the charity provides. It’s a volunteer role and you do it because you want to contribute to society and help people but those thank you’s mean the world to me.
The most memorable moment I have had was an urgent delivery of medication for a patient in a critical care unit who needed it quickly. We are not allowed to break the laws of the road like police cars or ambulances, but bikes are able to filter through traffic when it’s busy. The pharmacy manager was waiting at the door to the hospital where I was collecting from and the pharmacy at the receiving side was likewise poised for it to arrive. The majority of blood, medication, samples, notes and equipment we move is on a less urgent footing, but the occasional very urgent request gives an appreciation for the benefits of using motorbikes for this service and make for some memorable moments.
Volunteering has brought a greater appreciation for life. Time is precious and none of us know how long we’ve got. Spending a lot of time in and around hospitals and other care institutions, seeing a lot of unwell people struggling, instils a sense of gratitude for the here and now, and a presence in the present.
My name is Paul and that’s why I volunteer for Northumbria Blood Bikes.”
To sign up or for more information on our volunteer roles visit: http://www.northumbriabloodbikes.org.uk/support/volunteer