Blood Bikes charity increases shifts to support NHS during pandemic

The charity is operated by over 100 volunteers.
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Blood Bikes Scotland has increased the number of shifts volunteers work in the Lothians and across the country to support the NHS through the Covid-19 pandemic.

The charity, operated by over 100 volunteers, delivers urgent blood samples, medication, documents, breast milk or other supplies across Scotland.

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The aim is to save the NHS money which would have been spent on taxis or couriers.

Volunteers have increased their shifts.Volunteers have increased their shifts.
Volunteers have increased their shifts.

Extra shifts have been added for volunteers at the Sick Kids hospital in Edinburgh.

Another extra shift in the Forth Valley area provides shuttle runs between Cameron Hospital and the laboratories at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy in order to get results of Covid-19 tests for NHS staff returned as quickly as possible.

Chairman John Baxter, a volunteer with the charity since 2016, said: “I am working harder now than before I retired but it’s great to be able to help the NHS even more at this critical time.

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“Two of the additional shifts in Fife are directly COVID-19 related. One is providing shuttle runs between Cameron Hospital in Fife and the labs at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

Blood Bikes Scotland is run by over 100 volunteers.Blood Bikes Scotland is run by over 100 volunteers.
Blood Bikes Scotland is run by over 100 volunteers.

“As we are able to offer this in a timely manner it means the people being tested are likely to get their results back the same day. At the moment it is predominantly NHS staff being tested.

“The second service is evening cover for the Community Hub at Victoria. So if a patient

presents with symptoms but does not require to be hospitalised and can return home, then our role is to deliver necessary medication to their home address.

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“We’ve also added some extra shifts, at the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital, and similarly

weekend shifts in NHS Forth Valley. This shows our ability to be responsive and flexible in terms of our work and demonstrates our commitment to help the NHS during this

pandemic.”

Mr Baxter added that the charity was grateful to Leith Gin and Paragon Group for providing hand sanitiser and gloves for riders.

The charity is now seeking donations via their website or Facebook page, as they have had to suspend fundraising and sponsored events.

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“Most months we do two or three collections outside the big supermarkets and other

fundraising or sponsored events, but obviously this element of fundraising has had to stop completely,” Mr Baxter said.

“We look to those efforts to primarily cover our running costs, which are around £3,500

every month. We have a real gap at the moment and this will have an impact on our ability to operate.”