ACCRINGTON DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
WE were given sad news about the passing of Jim Main. Although his health had prevented attendance for several years, he will be remembered as a real gentleman by those lucky enough to have known him.
A final reminder - the next meeting is the annual general meeting.
Today’s speaker made us all realise, once again, what real commitment is.
Paul Cull represented North West Blood Bikes, an organisation that some of us had heard of but few had really appreciated, until after this talk.
In the six or so years of operating in this region the bikers and their controllers had saved the NHS some £4.5million.
They do this by providing a free transport service for a whole range of essential items, much of this being routine clinical samples, to pathology laboratories.
There are emergency items but these tend to be rarer events for the bikers.
They seldom rush about with flashing lights and sirens and are constrained by the same rules of the road, including speed limits monitored by the controller.
We really appreciate your help in letting them get where they are going as smoothly as possible.
There are some liveried machines but much of the riding is done on their own motorcycles.
These and all the gear necessary, with the exception of the bibs, are provided, insured and maintained by the volunteers themselves.
Paul said: “We are all bikers, so we would have had to buy all this kit anyway”.
Working 12-hour shifts could not possibly be seen as what most bikers would consider part of their passion though.
Some, like Paul, are retired and some do this after a normal working day, in the factory, office or police force, for example, and some are just waiting to get to the minimum age of 25, so that they can start giving their time.
At the age of 70 you can, like Paul, elect to be considered for an extension.
The bikers are all experienced, qualified, advanced riders and there is always a need for controllers.
You need to be organised and willing to donate the occasional night’s sleep to the cause but it sounds more than just a little rewarding. Go to website for more information.