Bikers’ 24-hour ride could pay for a second blood bike
LEBBS riders at Beales Department Store in Skegness before setting of on their Skegness to Lands End 24hour ride. Photo supplied.
AN all-night motorcycle ride has brought the Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service one step closer to a fleet of life-saving machines.
The group is looking to purchase more motorcycle ‘blood bikes’, which will be used to transport vital fluids, including blood, samples, donor breast milk for new mums and more to hospitals, after being able to purchase their first bike last month.
In order to buy at least two more bikes for the service to become operational, the group took on a fundraising challenge by riding from Skegness to Land’s End and back in just 24 hours, a total of around 800 miles, earlier this month. All the riders made it back safely, albeit very tired.
The amount raised is not yet known but LEBBS spokesman John Sharratt, from Great Hale, said they hope to have raised enough to buy another blood bike.
The service is run by volunteers who work during the so-called ‘silent hours’ where fluids and supplies are needed the most, during evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
The service is free of charge, allowing the NHS to use their funds where they are needed most.
LEBBS started their fundraising campaign for the bike in January and, after a grant from the Lincolnshire Co-op, they were able to purchase it last month, costing £5,000 secondhand. But Mr Sharratt said to get the service up and running they would need more bikes as operating just one between 11 Lincolnshire hospitals was impossible.
He said: “We are looking to have three bikes before we become operational. The more money we raise, the more bikes we can buy.”
To donate to LEBBS’ life saving blood bike service, visit their website at www.lebbs. org and click the red Donate button.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sleaford
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North
