Sponsor boost for blood bike group

Friday 27th April 2012

A charity which hopes to save lives by transporting urgent medical supplies to North West hospitals is one step closer to hitting the road thanks to a motorcycle insurance firm.

North West Blood Bikes Manchester (NWBBM) was set up to ferry vital supplies such as specimens, blood and medical equipment between hospitals in the region during evenings and weekends.

But before it can hit the road the charity needs to buy a second bike and ensure it can cover annual operational costs.

Motorcycle insurance specialist Carole Nash has decided to sponsor NWBBM and offer practical support as well as naming it as its charity of the year.

The key aim is to raise cash for the second motorcycle through various staff fundraising activities.

Carole Nash chief executive, David Newman, said: "Without a back up bike NWBBM cannot begin to provide what will be a lifesaving service and one which will save the NHS considerable money. With no blood bike service available hospitals sometimes have to rely on taxis.

"So our first priority is to see how we can help get them on the road. Our staff are already thinking of fun ways to raise cash and we are using our contacts within the police to see if we can pick up a reliable used machine at a reasonable price."

Paul Redfern, chair and one of four trustees of NWBBM, said: "We know that Carole Nash staff have a reputation for really getting behind good causes and hope that with their backing we can get that second bike much sooner than planned."

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