A few weeks ago I asked our members why they volunteered to help others.  I wanted to learn of their motivation and remind them of the commitment we ask from our members.  At the moment that commitment is even greater.

Several of our members have had to self-isolate as they are in a vulnerable category.  This is so difficult for them as they are desperate to help and the way they are told to do so is to stay home.   Some have found other ways to contribute by taking on ‘back-office’ (if we had an office) duties or volunteering as a controller.  Such functions are just as vital as riding a bike in achieving our goal of helping the NHS.

Our riders are the only ones you will see out at the moment as the rest of our volunteers adhere to government advice and STAY AT HOME to help our NHS.  But asking a rider to leave the relative safety of their home is a big deal at the moment.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why volunteers with Blood Bikes Wales want to help.  Their reasons might persuade you to help our NHS in whatever way you can.

“Just everyone I meet that has needed the service because when they come and put change in the bucket they always tell you their story and they are always grateful .”

“I met a lady today that said she needed a transfusion, and was told “the Blood Bikes motorcycle is on its way” she was so grateful and couldn’t wait to share her story, and a very generous donation.  Her story made my day.”

“That’s what it’s all about, I had a lady tell me the human milk delivered to her prem twins in hospital helped saved their lives and another lady who had chemo drugs transported to her in England, it’s very heart-warming to know how much gratitude there is out there for the charity.   Wherever we are we might one day need the service ourselves too, many of us and our loved ones have had accidents, treatment or operations that could have been helped by our blood bikes charity.  I’m proud to do my little bit to help.”

“I owe a lot to the NHS, personally and in the past for family. There is also a selfish reason…,, having to ride in all weathers keeps me on my toes and hopefully keeps my riding skills honed!!!”

“Strangely not any one person. Just an enthusiasm for a Lifesaving Charity that has become a Second Family. Oh by the way, a Family that supports our NHS for FREE.”

“Most of my family are involved in the NHS. Just doing my bit.”

“Easy, the NHS brought me back to life after giving birth to my daughter. I can’t repay something like that but I can help someone else and I enjoy it too.”

“My wife works for the NHS and has done for many years as a midwife ….. she told me I had to do it as I was getting under her feet at home …… 😂.. but also I wanted to give something back to this wonderful organisation that has been there for my mother, my mother in law and myself.”

“My daughter had transfusions at 8 hours old, biked up as new born need freshly donated blood.  Blood Bikes Wales was not in existence then but owe a huge debt of gratitude to the NHS.”

“I do it because I can”

“The NHS saved me from grade 3 breast cancer.  Not only the treatment I received, but the care and compassion I received from my nursing team. I vowed when well I would try and repay their kindness.”

“I used to work for the NHS (back office not front line) and saw how underfunded it was. I spent the last 10 years of my working life trying to make a difference by creating software that helped nurses and doctors work more efficiently and cut down on the amount of paper they generated.  There is also the not inconsiderable amount of time they spent when they saved my wife’s life a couple of times and also the times they looked after our son.”

“Because I’m able to really. I’m sure one day I will need the services of the NHS I’m pre paying in a way”

“My wife works for the NHS, medical secretary, now ward clerk.  My mother worked as a nurse for the NHS. They saved my life 3 years ago, so I’m giving something back.”

“My daughter had breast cancer needed chemo and blood when she had a double mastectomy wanted to repay the NHS for saving her for me.”

“The NHS SAVED MY LIFE LITERALLY BROUGHT ME BACK, I’M ONE OF THE 10%’ERS, And gave my mum 9 extra years with us.”

“To be honest, I wasn’t going to answer this post as cancer has hit my friends and family big time in my life and I didn’t just want to say I’m paying the service back for their care.  But last night, I was called out of area in awful weather to do a transfer from one hospital to another’s special baby care unit.  When I arrived there, the nurse took the parcel from me and disappeared into the next room before doing any paperwork.  She came back and told me I’d just helped give a baby a fighting chance to live.  That’s why we do it. To give others that fighting chance to live, or to have a better life.  I was humbled last night. (As well as cold and wet).”

“Been touched by all the staff in the treatment of family members, past and present. So trying to return the good deed to the NHS, and help all the staff save money for all the life-saving equipment they need to succeed in the Great job they already do”

“Like riding the bikes”

“No major event in my life. I just have the time to volunteer and this good cause has bikes.”

“My story goes back 10 years when Darren put me through my bike test and tried to recruit me. I said no at the time as I had young kids and enjoyed going out on weekends with the wife. (me mam always babysat for us). Then A started to get ill with head issues and slowly we stepped back from open life to the close life we live now. then she was diagnosed with Fibro on top of arthritis and other issues that she has. But we just get on with it as best we can. I seen [sic] Darren post on here a few months ago and myself and A talked it over and decided that as long as my mother and sons can sit with her then I can do what I can do. It kinda gives me some respite to do something different and know I’m helping in the small way I can The rest is history for now but that’s my reason.”

As for me, well I have 3 daughters who are all fit and healthy and I’m so very grateful for it.  They were all born in a Welsh hospital that’s literally on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 right now.  But it’s a young lady that was in school with them that keeps me doing this.  Emily had to have another operation just before Christmas one year and her mum says it was a Blood Bike that brought the transfusion to allow her to go home on Christmas Eve.  That Christmas was important.

I do this to help our NHS give families one more Christmas, a birthday, a hug or even just a phone call with their loved ones.  It might be my loved one, one day.

N