A new emergency service that will deliver blood and urgent medical items to hospitals across Lancashire is being spearheaded by a retired policeman and keen motorcyclist.
63 year old Paul Brooks is the chairman of the North West Blood Bikes Lancashire and Lakes, a charitable organisation that transports blood, breast milk for premature babies and other urgent medical equipment out of hours in a bid to free up funds for hospitals.
Lancashire hospitals currently rely on taxi and courier services to provide them with urgent transport services out of hours. These services cost the NHS thousands of pounds each year.
North West Blood Bikes hope that their new service will save the NHS money that they can spend on patient care.
Paul was a traffic police officer in Preston and worked in accident investigation. He said: “I have been a motorcyclist since the age of 16 and also rode bikes in the police force.
“We now have 52 volunteer bikers and are hoping to go fully live in May. The charity will offer an out-of-hours emergency transport solution to hospitals and other healthcare establishments free of charge.
“We are presently in contact with hospitals across Lancashire, including the Royal Preston Hospital and need assistance from anyone who can help, either by volunteering to ride, or by helping to organise events to make money for the charity.
“Our service does more than just deliver blood supplies. The milk bank at the Countess of Chester Hospital regularly despatches donor breast milk to the Lancashire area for use by premature babies.
“These journeys can cost in excess of £100 each and have to be paid for by the receiving hospital.
“North West Blood Bikes will provide this urgent transport service to the milk bank free of charge.”
Visit: www.nwbb-lancs.org