Blood Bikes
WARWICKSHIRE AND SOLIHULL BLOOD BIKES AWARDED £15,000
The WPH Charitable Trust has awarded £15,000 to the Warwickshire and Solihull Blood Bikes (WSBB).
The volunteer group, which supports the NHS and other charitable health organisations, will receive £5,000 per year over the next three years.
Established in 2012 the WSBB is made up of a large group of volunteer biking enthusiasts who combine their hobby with community work by transporting blood, tissue, urine and other samples from hospitals across the area to pathology labs at Coventry’s University Hospital.
With a large volunteer base, including 55 riders and more currently undergoing training, 12 registered drivers, 15 other volunteers, such as committee members and fundraisers, and five owner riders the WSBB covers thousands of miles each year carrying out this vital work for the NHS.
Working with the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby, and the George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, to name just two in the area, it is estimated the group saves the NHS more than £35,000 a year in fuel and taxi expenses.
While all of the work and some of the bikes are free, the wear and tear of the machines means there is call for replacement of at least one or two every year.
This year the WSBB was given a helping hand by the WPH Charitable Trust which granted the £5,000 towards a new bike.
Don O’Brien, Treasurer of the Warwickshire and Solihull Blood Bikes, said: “The charity is enormously grateful for the donation from the WPH Charitable Trust. It has enabled to replace one bike immediately, and plan for the future with a known income stream for a further two years.”
As well as supermarket collections the WSBB raises funds by giving talks to community groups such as the WI, church and U3A groups, and by approaching local companies.
The WPH Charitable Trust provides funding for individuals, groups and organisations which work to prevent, relieve and cure sickness in Coventry and Warwickshire. The Trust provides grants for medical research, buildings, equipment and other forms of medical care for residents of the region. All applications are made via the Trust’s website, and are assessed on a quarterly basis.
For further details on the Trust, or to make an online application, log on to our website
