201704 Newsletter April 2017

NORTHUMBRIA BLOOD BIKES

April 2017 - Please feel free to print, copy, save or forward this newsletter to increase awareness of our charity!

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

Find out who on page 17‌

Above: Mike Ewert President of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association presented a cheque for ÂŁ418.70 raised from the slow motorcycle handling course ran by the Widow Sons Northumberland Chapter

We are currently on the Asda Green Token Scheme at the Cramlington store. Please Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products remember to ask them for aRegistered token to popNumber in the1166689 box if you’re in there shopping.

Charity Every token counts!

At our open meeting we awarded the first of our recognition badges.

Simply a 'thank you' for all the time our members give up and the effort they put in.

Members awarded badges are listed below each award photograph but those in the images are just some of the recipients.

25 shifts for bronze Paul Simmons, Gary Saunders, Nathan Harold, Andrew Watson, John Watts, Dave Glennie, Ross Mackenzie, Iain Munro, Paul Paterson, Ian Young, Alan Bell, Alan Bragg, Adam Morris, Adam Pickering, Joanna Moor, Suzanne Hitchinson, Colin Irvine, Peter Kippax, Lee Smith, William David Lucas, Teganblood Rawlinson, Ian Hunter, Carl Providing effectiveDeacon, and timely transportation of essential and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689 Critchley, Allan Dalgarno, David Burns, Jerry Trowbridge, Mark Richardson and Wilfred Moralee

50 shifts for silver Ken Tait, Debbie Paton, Brian Slassor, Peter Robertson, Graham Moor, Malcolm Farley, Gary Annan, Colin Granton, Malcolm Cramman, Derek Henderson, Gary Loader, David Short, Steve Tulloch, Alan Johnston, Ria Burnett, Chris Mitchell, Mike Briant, Nigel Barlow, Rob Wilks, Graeme Mitchell and Steven Hughes

100 shifts for gold Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

Paul Gilligan, Barry Bullas, Alan Ross, Alan Johnson, Mervyn Hilton, Steve Rawlings, Andrew Lee, Sean Storey, Chris Mann and Ronnie Paton

Many thanks to Pete at Just Helmets for coming along to our open meeting to show our members a selection of the brand new Schuberth C4 helmet. The whole room was focused on his presentation and asked lots of questions. We appreciate Pete coming along but also his offer of a discount to blood bike members.

For any of our members that couldn’t make it to the meeting pop along to Just Helmets: Unit 20B, Airport Ind Est, Kingston Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 2EF www.justhelmets.co.uk

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

Barry Bullas – an open letter of thanks It was bittersweet, when I took the call from Barry and he let me know he was resigning the Chair of NBB: Bitter because of the blow it represented to NBB and (selfishly) the committee; Sweet, because I knew for him personally it meant success at work.

A few weeks ago, by coincidence, we were both in London working, and we’d agreed to meet one evening for dinner - partly to break the monotony of dining alone in hotel restaurants but also to take the opportunity to catch up on all things Blood Bikes. As he described a challenging, interesting and innovative opportunity that was developing at work he didn’t have to say that he was interested in it, that much was clear. When he called to say he was resigning I knew he’d been offered a new role.

There have been times recently when Barry has found the Work-Life-BloodBikes balance to be anything but balanced.

However, with some judicious redistribution of his duties and some serious cajoling from the rest of the committee (not to mention a little lobbying of his long-suffering wife, Amy) we’ve managed to prevent him from leaving the committee. This was clearly not the time for more of that: this was the time to celebrate his achievement, say “congratulations” and reluctantly accept that family and work must come first.

Barry leaves big shoes to fill on the NBB committee, a committee that he’s been a member of since the inception of our charity. As our first Membership Secretary, Barry was always focused on the members’ experience and he has been responsible for several innovations that will live long into the future of NBB. It was Barry who created our Facebook page and groups which continue to thrive today. Barry was one of our first qualified riders, almost five years ago, and he was an early convert to advanced driving (which he passed with an IAM FIRST in 2014). It was Barry’s idea, and he honed the execution, for the member’s “ride-along-a-BoB-run” that is now a mandatory part of our training for Riders and Drivers. Similarly, Barry was the driving force behind (and early presenter of) our member induction sessions and he was also instrumental in our first “Buddy” scheme, which newer members will experience as the “shadow riders” on their first shift. Barry did all of this, while quietly processing hundreds of new membership applications and renewals each year, and qualifying for a NBB Gold recognition award by clocking up over a hundred shifts. In the last year or so, Barry has been Vice-Chair and Chair of the Charity. He has challenged the committee to become more robust in our data recording and reporting and this is becoming visible through new processes and reporting streams that benefit us all. Barry has indeed left his mark on NBB and woe betide anybody who asks “What did Barry Bullas ever do for us?”.

All of this didn’t go unnoticed of course, with Barry being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s New Year 2016 Honours List, “For Services to Public Administration and Charity”, which I hope (at least in part) reflected the work Barry had done with us.

I’m delighted to say that Barry isn’t leaving the charity completely, he’s going to remain a member, and continue to do shifts for us whenever he can (or whenever Amy will let him!) and he’ll remain our coordinator for activities around the Great North Run. It simply remains for me to say, on behalf of the committee and the members of NBB, “Thanks Barry” for all that you’ve done (and continue to do) for Northumbria Blood Bikes – your presence on the committee will be sorely missed.

Michael Thompson

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

Merchandise Available from our friends at Red Dog www.northumbriabloodbikes.org.uk/merchandise/reddog

Bag for Life with NBB logo vinyl printed large to one side. £3.50

Zipped Hoodie with NBB logo embroidered to left breast.

(Ladies & unisex available) £22.50

Beanie in Black with NBB logo embroidered to front. £8.99

Black/Red/White Cap with NBB Logo embroidered front middle. £10.00

Classic Canvas Shopper with Northumbria Blood Bikes logo vinyl printed large on one side. (Also available in black). £5.00

Hoodie with NBB logo embroidered to left breast.

(Ladies & unisex available) £20.00

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products 10% of your purchase will be donated to Northumbria Blood Bikes Registered Charity Number 1166689

RegulaR DonoRs… Northumbria Blood Bikes relies entirely on the kindness, generosity and general good will of the public, be that by corporate sponsorship, collections at static locations, or donations. However, we don’t currently have a great number of individuals who wish to donate on a regular basis so we’d like to change that. Over the coming year, we are looking to you for your help.

Can you spare a small amount of money (or a large one), on a regular basis, as a donation to NBB? We’d like to hear the resounding ‘yes’. We are looking to have people subscribe to donations every month, for an amount of as little as £1. For those who are able to donate, through Virgin Money Giving, as a regular payment, we will be very grateful. For everybody who signs up to donate, in return, you will receive our regular newsletter, and after 3 months of regular payments, you will receive a gift of NBB merchandise. We’d love to have you on board as a supporter, so please consider signing up as a regular donor:

www.northumbriabloodbikes.org.uk/vmg For those who already give regularly through Virgin Money Giving please note that you will need to update your card details due to their system update.

Want to host your own collection?

Then why don’t you request a collection tin.

Whether you’re holding a coffee morning, cake sale, race night or looking for a new workplace charity we would love to hear from you. Just contact us via: fundraising@northumbriabloodbikes.org.uk Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

360 Challenge Don’t forget that registrations are open for the second 360 Motorbike challenge.

With places limited and due to the popularity of last year’s event we recommend you don’t delay entering.

You’re invited to participate in the 360 Motorbike Challenge on 22nd April 2017 in support of Northumbria Blood Bikes. A ride not to be missed!

The route takes you to the furthest points of the Northumbria Blood Bikes operational area, and will showcase some of the best areas Northumberland, Durham, and Upper Teesdale have to offer - wild spectacular Landscapes, Moor and Coast, something for everyone!

The event starts and finishes either at The Road House Grill Tyneside Auto Parc or from Durham Tees Flight Training, Durham Tees Valley Airport from 8.00am onwards.

Once signed in you will be given an event card to complete on the route.

A map will be available showing suggested roads to ride for spectacular views, but there are also four locations which participants must visit to complete their event card, which needs to be shown at the finish for you/your passenger to receive your commemorative badge.

The entry fee for the event is £15.00 per rider or £20.00 if you also carry a passenger. All participants who successfully complete the challenge will receive a badge, and any individual who is successful in raising £360 or more will receive a special award badge in recognition of their efforts.

There is also a special ELITE badge for the individual who raises the highest amount of sponsorship for the event.

Note: All participants who take part do so at their own risk; The ride is held on public highways and all rules and regulations of the road must be strictly adhered to at all times. The organisers would like to stress that the ride is not a race; it is a fund raising treasure hunt ride to help with the running of the Northumbria Blood Bikes.

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products www.northumbriabloodbikes.org.uk/360Challenge2017 Registered Charity Number 1166689

Bowes Belles WI, Wreckenton, donated ÂŁ75 plus an impromptu collection of a further ÂŁ63.70.

Pictured behind the nearside mirror one of our newest shift controllers Judith Russell

Budding shift ContRolleRs‌ For any of our members that would like to attend the next training session make a note in your diary Saturday 15th April. This is a classroom based session for new shift controllers or those who'd like refresher training. The address is available on the events calendar once logged in.

You do need to register your attendance via our website, login required; Members > forms > register for shift controller training Future dates: 6th May, 3rd June and 1st July

Not currently a member but interested in the role of a shift controller?

You will work from home answering calls from hospitals and passing them on to our riders and drivers. You will keep track of the riders, making sure they have reached their destination and made it back to base safely. Calls are automatically diverted to your number when you are on shift.

Sign up today for any of our volunteering roles via our website: Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products www.northumbriabloodbikes.org.uk/membership_form Registered Charity Number 1166689

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

Sedgefield UA3 Club donated ÂŁ40

We recently attended the Wish Token presentation event at The Evening Chronicle.

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Again we would like to extend our thanks for everyone’s support in helping us get Registered Charity Number 1166689 into the top 10!

Slaggyford WI ladies donated ÂŁ30

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

Ladies of Elsden Avenue Church, Seaton Deleval, donated ÂŁ104

Newton and Bywell WI donated ÂŁ25

58 Society donated ÂŁ30

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

Committee changes…

Since Barry Bullas stepped down Mike Thompson has kindly taken over as our Chair. This meant the role of Vice-Chair became available. Graham Moor has stepped up to take on the position alongside his current role as our Fundraising Officer. We’re sure you’ll all welcome them both to their new posts.

New committee member…

We also welcome Brian Slassor as our new Charity Secretary. We’re sure he'll be a great addition to the committee. Please give him all your support in the coming weeks and months as Brian gets to grips with the role.

Time to get voting…

All members are invited to name the new addition to our bike fleet. Following the tradition of naming bikes after North East Castles you can choose between: Warkworth, Durham or Raby To cast your vote you’ll need to login to our website (before 30th April) > members > choose a name for NBB motorcycle

New riders...

Jona Friend Sean Jamieson Peter Jackson Alistar Neesham Joe Wafer Steve Brown Dave Thornton

Assessment rides...

New drivers...

Marc Griffiths Dave Makepeace Derek Farrow Raphael Hermann Gary Annan

Assessment drives...

Michael Sutherland Adam Pickering Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Peter Robertson Mike Thompson Registered Charity Number 1166689 Dave Glennie

Mickey taking Blood Biker passes advanced driving test A blood biker who constantly winds up other blood bikers because they use the cars during the winter months, has passed his advanced car test.

When summoned to do his observed drive for Northumbria Blood Bikes, Gary Annan even turned up in his bike uniform and crash helmet.

We're not sure if he didn't really know there was a driver’s uniform, or if he just thought no one would recognise him with his helmet on.

Before taking Gary for his observed drive, Northumbria Blood Bikes training officer Geoff Spencer, donned his own crash helmet, saying he felt safer when observing an ex taxi driver.

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689

FUTURE EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY: Lots of things happening, and we need your help to support them! If you can help, even if only for a couple of hours, please contact us….information is at the bottom of this page. NBB members can register their attendance for most of these events on our website (login required).

April Friday

April

April

Saturday

Monday

14th

15th

17th

April

April

April

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

14th

15th

16th

Dobbies Ponteland 09:00 until 17:00 and 10:00 until 16:00 Door collection as charity of the year – probably lots of cake consumed by volunteers (Full details on the event calendar login and volunteers required)

The Bebside Inn, Blyth, NE24 4HT 12:00 Good Friday until 14:00 Easter Monday Easter at The Bebby with live bands, busking artists, knockout pool competition, raffle and camping for bikes and trikes (Full details on the event calendar login and volunteers required)

April Saturday

15th April Saturday

15th April Sunday

23rd

Cockfield Family Fun Day Cockfield Working Mens Club, Front Street, Cockfield, DL13 5ER 10:00 until 17:00 Childrens games and activities, Wood Carving Display, Stalls, Tombola, Food and live music (Full details on the event calendar login and volunteers required)

Shift Controller Training 12:30 until 15:00 (NEW location – please see events calendar for details) Classroom based session for new shift controllers or those who'd like refresher training (Register your attendance via our website, login required, Members > Forms > Register to attend shift controller training)

Belford Classic Car Show South Road, NE70 7DP Belford, Northumberland 10:00 until 16:00 There will be live music, good food and drink, a bouncy castle for the kids (young and old!) and most importantly some great cars to see (Full details on the event calendar login and volunteers required)

April

April

May

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

29th

30th

1st

Dobbies Ponteland 09:00 until 17:00 and 10:00 until 16:00 Door collection as charity of the year – probably lots of cake consumed by volunteers (Full details on the event calendar login and volunteers required)

April Sunday

30

th

Durham Uniformed Services Day 09:00 until 17:00 Uniformed services day (Full details on the event calendar login and volunteers required)

www.northumbriabloodbikes.org.uk

FUNDRAISING HOTLINE:

facebook.com/northumbriabloodbikes

0191 364 3113

twitter.com/northumbriabb linkedin.com/company/2866951

- for any opportunities to increase our funding through sponsorship, locations for collecting tins, supermarket events etc…

Providing effective and timely transportation of essential blood and medical products Registered Charity Number 1166689