<<  BTW - is this not using your own bike?  Do you use their bikes?  Do you get the blue light and can break the speed limit?  Wooo definitely sign me up. lol >>

No, Yes, Yes, NO!

Actually, some groups do use their own bikes, but I think that's rare. WKs have a (small) fleet of ex-police Pan Europeans in full livery. Blue lights are allowed only if you have a good reason and it has been designated by the hospital as an urgent case. And you can't break ANY laws. You must stick to the limit, just like you normally do..........
Incidentally, the bikes' upkeep, insurance etc. is all paid out of charitable donations. The service is free to the NHS. So if anyone is organising an event and wants a charity to raise funds for, let us know!!
If BM had a clubhouse, I'd suggest organising a presentation evening, but as we're ephemeral, I'm not sure what our virtual equivalent is. Any suggestions welcome!

John

p.s. No, I don't know if there's a group in Veldhoven!
p.p.s. It went all italicy when I pasted our url, and it wouldn't un-italic whatever I did after that. Actually, I blame Firefox. It's gone all weird since I updated it. Can't get the smilies to display either. Except .

                                                                                                                                                                             

Good news! SERV Suffolk coming soon and it looks like I'll get the chance to be part of it!                                                                                                                                                                              

The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes represents a group of established, registered charities operating across the UK. Each charity performs a similar service, using motorcycles to provide an out-of-hours courier service to hospitals and other health institutions within their area. The charities carry urgently needed medical items such as blood, biological samples, medical notes, x-rays and scans. The service is offered free of charge to the NHS and all members are unpaid volunteers.

Has a list of groups registered with NABB

                                                                                                                                                                             

well i know serv is spreading out, alot is due to people and clubs wanting to set up thier own branch of serv so people if you think it will work where you are then get in touch and they'll be happy to give you information on how to do it. as for some hospitals not using a service its often due to lack of faith in a voluntary service case of no one does anything for nothing sort of thing. also some hospitals are worried about damage to the blood or blood product being carried on a bike but serv persauded them to try and they havent looked back since maidstone hospital was and is a supporter of the service. as for bikes you use your own though i beleave a couple of counties have raised money to purchase dedicated bikes, mostly though you use your own, most insurance companies dont increase premiums as its voluntary and not for pay or reward. as for speeding etc you ride making safe and steady progress the key thing is that the blood gets to its destination no good spread across the road for the sake of a few minutes . in kent i know a few riders have actualy picked up police bike escorts on the odd run purely because they were seen and assisted. 

Thanks Manhill..will look into it                                                                                                                                                                               

there ive applied  be nice to give some thing back for a change                                                                                                                                                                              

Good on ya dude                                                                                                                                                                                    

I've had a call to go for an induction in early november. I'm guessing being a rider will require an advanced rider qualification, which I don't have yet, but I'm up for a bit of dispatch work and to get to know the system pending getting the higher pass.

Night work is no trouble to me as I'm a bit of a night Owl anyway.

Can't wait!                                                                                                                                                                             

Hi, I'm a volunteer for SERV and the event co-ordinator for SERV Sussex. I think you've got most of the info now, but Serv covers the south east, there are various other organisations out there - check out the NABB site to see if there's anything in your area.   We've got a stand at the NEC show, I'm there Tues and Thurs, drop by and say Hi if you're there!                                                                                                                                                                             

There was a group of us in North London, Herts and Essex called "The EVS" [Emergency Voluntary Service] who i believe were running before SERV as i've been associated with them for almost 30 years [old git i know] but unfortunatly we had to fold due to lack of support. The only thing that is still linked with the group are the annual Toy and Egg runs. We did all the same stuff and yes it is rewarding and good fun if you can avoid the idiots out there. Serv have started spreading their wings alot more over the last couple of years so it's likely that you won't have to go far to get involved.

yes i wood volunteer for this and the events it needs
                                                                                                                                                                             

Hi all is this operating in the north west yet?                                                                                                                                                                             

looked about for any operating in north east, seems yorkshire is the closest so far? leeds , tho hear of a "teeside " based system? really wonder why all hospitals/blood services do not do this out of hours?                                                                                                                                                                             

The Whiteknights are your closest - they cover Leeds, York, Huddersfield and Calderdale. No idea how close they are to you though, sorry!   NABB is always looking to open up new areas with the various groups, if you're serious about helping - get in touch                                                                                                                                                                              

Mitzi T,  yep been in touch with white nights, closest (leeds) is still 40 miles away (would happily do this but think they prefer closer folk, fair enough)
was in touch with NABB, john stepney? says they are looking into our area, but nothing yet (i do know at least 5 or 6 who would love to help with riders, if this helps)   still in the "watch this space" department unfortunatly. no idea why all hospitals do not do this!                                                                                                                                                                             

If it was ooop north I would be signing up!                                                                                                                                                                              

I noticed that there is nothing in the northwest. I have seen the odd private car with a blood sign in it. When the civil contingency act was being drawn up the office of national statistics reveled that most of out emergency infrastructure relied heavily on work from the voluntary sector.  

Perhaps you,re the man to get something going then Phil!!..   I make Sat deliveries to N.H.S Blood labs in Manchester M13..Asked one of the guys there as to their out of hours service, they use either us=TNT(don,t come cheap!) or local taxi firms-again not cheap-                                                                                                                                                                             

love it if they did one here and I got perfect bike for it too                                                                                                                                                                               

I think they are pretty much everywhere but you don't realise because they're all called something different. They seem to be independent/regional charities in the main which a variety of web sites (i.e. no single site nationwide). Many have raised enough money to supply a "duty" bike complete with hi-vis markings, flashing lights etc. 

I spotted them on Emergency Bikers (TV show). Pretty much anyone can volunteer but you have to have (or be prepared to get, sponsored by them) an advanced riding qualification and suitable gear (white helmets only).