A group of bikers who have combined their passion for bikes with
volunteering for an essential service in Sussex – the transporting of blood and
associated products needed in an emergency.
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| Come and join us in this WAWTB fest - link below |
This group is called:
SERV Sussex – Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers
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| 'Racing' through the night to deliver blood c/o Sussex SERV site |
There are 60 volunteers who work at intervals overnight (7.00 pm to 6.00 am) to provide night time transportation of blood, blood products and other urgent medical items for the National Health Service (NHS) hospitals around Sussex.
Without this willing group of night time riders the NHS would have to use ambulances, or pay taxis to transport these urgently needed items.
This amazing service has just been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award that can be made to a voluntary group.
In 2016 SERV Sussex responded to 1,147 individual requests for assistance from NHS Trusts or the UK Association for Milk Banks (premature and sick baby services).
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| Tube map of the London Underground - Tooting is ringed Sussex lies approximately due south |
Blood and blood products usually originate in Tooting, south London … but transfers are made to London and between Sussex Hospital Trusts.
A second service is provided as SERV has recently expanded
to transporting human milk; now providing daily support to milk banks in London
and Brighton.
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| Sussex SERV's logo |
They will collect milk from donors in Sussex, Surrey and London at pre-arranged times, then deliver to one of the milk banks.
They will also deliver treated milk to mothers in their homes if donor milk is required and they are unable to make it to the hospital to collect their supplies.
Donated breast milk helps babies who are ill to get the best
start in life… it contains all the nutrients (at least 400) that a baby needs
and contains the hormones and disease-fighting compounds which are not found in
formula milk.
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| Another photo of their vehicle c/o SERV site |
These volunteers who cover the 365 nights in a year … leave the hospitals free to focus their resources on patient care and eliminate costly transport bills.
The volunteers give their time for free, together with use of
their beloved bikes, they put the fuel in and maintain their vehicles from
their own pockets.
A wonderful service recognised by The Queen’s Award for
Voluntary Service … so well deserved – many of us will be thankful, while the
volunteers gain from giving back to society, to helping families at times of
dire trouble …
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| c/o Sussex SERV site |
Today and all days we give thanks to those who will look after us in times of need … while I am sure the Service for Emergency Rider Volunteers in Sussex has been working overtime to help those with great need in London.
Let us not make life worse for others …
SERV Sussex - Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers (SERV)
The Blood Runners of Sussex
Your lead co-hosts this month are:
Belinda Witzenhausen, Lynn Hallbrooks, Michelle Wallace, Sylvia McGrath, Sylvia Stein
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
84 comments:
What a brilliant initiative.
And they have (finally) succeeded in countering the purportedly Hell's Angel saying 'Wnen we do good no-one remembers, when we do bad no-one forgets'. Bikers have often been tarred with that brush.
This is beyond amazing. They deserve this award, and more.
What a wonderful initiative Hilary thank you - a well deserved award. In that word 'deserved' is the word, 'serve' and of course SERV ...
That's astonishing - brilliant! However, I'm embarrassed that I didn't know that this went on; and even more embarrassed that it is not properly funded. Thanks for recognising these people, Hilary.
Truly amazing. I'm so glad to know about Serv Sussex. Thank you for sharing.
Now that is really giving. What they do is beyond being a mere volunteer.
A needed and remarkable group. Hats off to all who serve
Hello Hilary. Your posts really are positive and inspirational. I always look forward to receiving them. Take care, Kim. x
What a seriously wonderful program! It's exactly this kind of thing that really excites and delights me - simple, effective, brilliant ideas that make a genuine difference. Kudos to the volunteers.
I love to read about heroes like this. Thank you so much for sharing about them. I'm so glad they were recognized for their selflessness. Awesome!
Elsie
This is wonderful! 60 volunteers doing such important work in the middle of the night.
I had nop idea. What a great volunteer service.
That is amazing! Wonderful people giving to the community.
Hi Hilary, such worthy recipients of the special award. We should celebrate all the emergency services who are there for us when called upon.
@ EC – I hadn’t heard about them til I saw a news item and thought that’s perfect for the WATWB … bikers are so often tarnished with a not so good brush … but here they excel – thankfully for so many …
@ Damyanti – thanks and yes don’t these guys, and I’m sure girls, deserve their award … wonderful work for people in need.
@ Susan – yes you’re right about ‘serv’ being in Deserved and serving too … I’m not sure how it came about … but established it is …
@ Mike – nor did I know about this service til I saw the news item on their award … so many volunteers don’t shout out their good deeds … it just seemed so right for this blogfest shout out. I’m sure many voluntary organisations start up through sheer hard work, a need, a passion and then start fund raising to develop their goals out into the community …
@ Peter – pleasure: it’s good the word is getting out via the WATWB blogfest … SERV Sussex deserve their award …
@ Alex – it is giving isn’t it – and as you say they go beyond just volunteering …
@ Steve - I agree hats off to all who serve, volunteer in any form … having read about these blood runners – I just wanted to give a thumbs up …
@ Kim – so delighted you find my posts inspirational and positive … it’s always good to know that they are appreciated … these volunteers are wonderful in their work …
@ Deborah – it is an amazing group isn’t it – doing such important work, enjoying using their machines and as they help they are volunteering to the highest degree …
@ Elsie – yes they are selfless and will always go above and beyond to help others … and it’s great they’ve been recognised …
@ Joanna – yes it’s a good group of volunteers to get the right medical products in the right place across the 7 nights of each week and those 52 weeks of the year …
@ Jacqui – nor had I – til I read about them and thought this is perfect for a WATWB post … it is great volunteer work …
@ Lynn – it is amazing isn’t it – they are much needed and I’m sure appreciated by those who receive … we are a lucky community …
@ Suzanne – exactly such worthy recipients of the Queen’s Award – we should all celebrate the emergency services – they’ve been doing lots down here along the coast …
Thanks so much to you all for visiting and thus learning about these wonderful Sussex Volunteer Blood Runners – they’ll appreciate knowing that their work has been noted across the world … cheers Hilary
Hilary I have never heard of this and thanks for sharing. To say I am impressed is an understatement. It is wonderful to know that there are so many caring people out here, they need a medal. I am really touched. Long may this continue. Cheers Diane
Want a wonderful service - truly admirable people.
What an important and valuable service. Society often has a horrible and unfair opinion of bikers, but the truth is, many of them are decent giving people, like these volunteers.
What a wonderful service provided by these bikers.
That's wonderful . So happy to hear they received such a great honor from the Queen. Kudos to all involved.
What a brilliant group! They're providing a great service.
Love,
Janie
It made my heart happy to read this piece. What an extraordinary group of people. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring story.
Happy weekend, Hilary! Hope you are well. :)
What a wonderful project and group of bikers! Thanks for letting us know about them, Hilary. It is always a day brightener to read about the generosity of strangers helping strangers.. It is so nice that they have received recognition from the Queen, too.
Emily | My Life In Ecuador | 3D Technology Helping Animals in Cuenca #WATWB
What a great service. They should try something like that here. I bet there would be bikers who would be willing.
It is so easy and fulfilling to volunteer. Everybody should try. It enhances one's life.
wow! this is so fantastic. the NHS is so lucky to have these dedicated and caring bikers. and..they do it for free. how cool is that. there's some really neat videos on you tube about the bikers. just type in NHS blood bikers. and i just read a great article about then at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/14/blood-bikers-how-volunteer-motorcyclists-are-saving-lives
thanks for sharing about this great group of cyclists. for sure they provide a life saving service.
@ Diane – it shows we know little of what happens until a need arises, or in this case I find out via the announcement that they’d been awarded the Queen’s Award … I’m sure it will be an ongoing service …
@ Anabel – exactly … a wonderful range of people helping others …
@ Susan – yes I know … but they do make a really nasty noise as they whizz by in lines! Equally they are all people and I’m sure many do volunteer work – as here … they just enjoy their bikes …
@ Rhonda - it was fascinating to find out about and to see how they work etc …
@ Rosey – it’s good isn’t it … that these volunteers have been acknowledged for their services to helping others …
@ Janie – they are certainly providing a great service
@ Julie – I know some tales really do tug our heart strings – and this was one story I was more than happy to share …
@ Emily – thanks so much … a hidden service – as you say it brightens up our lives to know there are others helping people in urgent need … while the Queen’s Award shows that their work is valued …
@ Liz – it is a great service isn’t it … I’m sure you have groups like this in the States …
@ Arlene – I agree it is easy and fulfilling to volunteer – as you say it enhances life …
@ Lenny – thanks so much … I see you’ve done some research for us – I read the article … it elaborates the story of blood runners out across the country … while we can see YouTube clips of them working too … I’m so pleased they interested you and you wanted to know more …
Thanks everyone – so good to see you … and now I know a great deal more about these amazing volunteers – cheers and have happy weekends - Hilary
It's so inspiring to know that there are earth angels doing this kind of work. Beautiful share Hilary. :)
What an inspiring thing! And thank you for sharing it!
Very happy to find your blog, Hillary!
I love Eastbourne!
What a wonderful idea! Thank you so much, Hilary, for sharing this with your followers. This group of volunteers certainly deserves the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. I think sharing breast milk with sick babies is inspirational. All the best to you, my dear.
I agree with Alex, that is way beyond volunteering. What a fabulous group and what generous souls they are. Thanks for telling us about them Hilary.
I would never have imagined that a volunteer group would even be needed for this. Bravo to them all.
What an amazing service! Thanks for telling us about it.
This is so incredible. It's something most people don't think about until they or someone they love needs it. Thanks so much for sharing about these unsung heroes. #WATWB
What a fantastic service! When I worked at the hospital the police provided emergency delivery of blood for us. I never heard of anyone delivering breast milk but that is a great idea!
What a great project. Restores my faith in humanity. Thanks! :-)
Greetings from London.
So fantastic! And they probably get out of speeding tickets all the time!
Very impressive service. I like stories like this about folks just being good- offering time, resources, and help to others. Team work and coordination. Excellent post
@ Debby – it’s been fascinating to find out about this service and it’s wonderful to know of so many unsung heroes …
@ Kay – delighted to see you here and thanks for the visit … the service is so needed and to know it is being done is wonderful …
@ Victoria – I was delighted to read about them and learn a bit more about their services … the breast milk for sick children is just such a great addition …
@ Jo – thanks … it is a wonderful service that these riders offer and who are ready when needed …
@ Philip – yes it’s ‘funny’ what we find out about and the people who are helping and yes, bravo, to them …
@ Ian – it surprised me … and I was pleased to find out …
@ Belinda – exactly it’s only when something terrible happens that our understanding of how ‘essential unexpected services’ work … they are usually unsung heroes …
@ Paula – It’s reassuring to know that the policed helped out in emergency situations … I’m sure they’ll be doing it for breast milk in the States … it is a great idea …
@ ACIL – … and I’m sure there are other groups we won’t have heard of, until we need their services …
@ PJ – it is a fantastic service – and reading the link Lenny put up for us … they comply (and must) with the traffic regulations – they can’t use the blue lights that the ambulance and police can to rush through traffic and lights …
@ Joanne – it is an impressive service … and as you mention … team work, offering resources and help to others …
Thanks so much – good to see you … it’s been interesting finding out more about these blood runners and how they operate … cheers Hilary
I have never heard of this service. It sounds like it is a win, win, win! How wonderful! Thanks for sharing. :)
~Jess
Wow- now that's what I call paying it forward- what a blessing they must be to everyone. I've never heard of milk banks- that's neat. Have a great Sunday!
I had never heard of either of these groups. It's both humbling and inspiring to know there are folks out there doing so much good.
Thanks for sharing, Hilary. Kudos to you for getting the word out about them.
What wonderful services! Good people in the world! How lovely to know about them!
Absolutely incredible. Honestly made my day better.
What a great service! They get to do what they love while helping other people, including essential services!
@ Jess - I suspect we don't hear about them ... unless we're involved in that sort of work, or have a need because of a disaster ... I have been grateful I've learnt about them ...
@ Terri - good to see you ... yes the bikers must be a blessing to so many in need, while the milk bank set up is a such an important idea ...
@ Sandra - I hadn't realised how the group worked and how they look after both types of product ... blood and milk - it's humbling to read.
@ Mary - it is a wonderful service isn't it ... and people who are prepared to give of their time ...
@ Robert - the service is certainly inspirational ...
@ Trisha - I know it's the doing what they love ... riding their bikes, but more importantly helping desperate people in time of need ...
So good to see you here and thanks for your comments - cheers Hilary
Unsung heroes. They go about their work almost invisibly. A timely reminder of something we rarely think about until we need it.
Stories about selfless volunteers are always so heartening. They deserve the recognition they're getting. I hope they garner more.
When I learn of such endeavours I feel happy that there are good people doing good things. Thank you Hilary for informing us about these bikers and their deeds.
Hope you're having a pleasant, productive day, Hilary:)
Selflessness and community. Those two words define our only hope for the future. Not that of greed, ego and dog eat dog competiveness exemplified in America the days by our so called leader who exemplifies the moral rot found here today in far too many of us....Thanks for sharing this inspiring example of something better...:)
@ Keith - you're right ... they do go about their work almost invisibly and these kind of services we rarely give a thought to ...
@ Lee - they are certainly offering a lot to the community and families at times of dire need ... and here the recognition has been given - long may it continue ...
@ Beste - it is heartening that there are people who will give of their time to help others ...
@ Sandra - many thanks for the wishes ... today I hope to have a similar one ...
@ TB - I agree ... selflessness and community are so much needed by so many in these times of challenges we are all facing. We really need people who care and can help ... and leaders who can lead, inspiring us all in the process to do better for the greater need ...
Thanks- so much for commenting ... they deserve their Award for Voluntary service - cheers Hilary
What an amazing service to ride for blood and I didn't know a milk bank existed. Fantastic and so important for the babies who need it. This restores your faith in humanity :)
What a brilliant service. The volunteers are amazing and an inspiration. They help others selflessly. Very inspirational.
Nice story about how people can really make a big difference in their communities.
What a wonderful service these people provide, unseen to most of us. It's good to hear of them being recognised. Thanks Hilary, you always unearth something interesting.
@ Marja - it was amazing to learn about and the fact the milk bank is added in too. So important for sick babies ... it does restore our faith in people, doesn't it ...
@ Murees - they are doing great work aren't they ... volunteering for such an essential service. Inspirational and selfless - I quite agree ...
@ Deborah - it's been an eye opener for me ... Service behind the scenes ... to help others who are in desperate needs ...
@ Juliet - as you say unseen volunteers ... doing such an essential service - and it was wonderful to see they'd been recognised for the Queen's Award ...
Thanks so much ... lovely seeing you here - cheers Hilary
Wow, what a wonderful service! I wonder if there's anything like in anywhere in the US. If not, there should be!
This is fantastic! The kind of selflessness you just don't see much of these days. Trust you, dear Hilary, to highlight them!
Hi Hilary,
Massive respect to those volunteer bikers who incorporate their passion for bikes with their passion to help in such a vital way.
They totally deserve the award.
Thanks for highlighting them and thanks for yet another highly informative post, Hilary.
Hugs and stay cool during our latest bout of hot weather.
Gary
That is so cool! I wish we had something like that in the states.
@ Bish - it is indeed a wonderful service - I'm not sure how the service is run in the States ... I'm sure there are volunteers though ...
@ Diedre - I heard about them because of their Award which was noted in the local news ... I'm just glad I did ... as it's fascinating to know the service is there ...
@ Gary - I agree ... lots of respect for them ... incorporating their passion with an essential need. I was glad to give them some extra awareness. Sounds like today is going to be even hotter ... so I shall stay by the seaside!
@ Tyrean - I'm sure there must be something similar in the States ... but your country is so much larger than ours ...
Thanks so much for the visit and for noting these amazing blood couriers ... we are very lucky - that they serve us well ... cheers Hilary
That's a great example of generosity and solidarity. The WATWB throws up some very diverse stories, but all with a wonderful common theme. This one gives a whole new meaning to 'get on yer bike'!
Absolutely amazing! I love the idea of bikers racing through the night, delivering life-sustaining goods.
God bless them.... Talk about paying it forward. SO glad .... they deserve that honor and even more!
Thanks for enlightening us on how the human spirit is endlessly kind... with so much hatred and cruelty in the world, we all need to be reminded of the do gooders!
What a truly noble service these modern knights provide in such a basic way. They need to be better known and commended. May others step up when some of them tire. Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
That is great indeed. Shows there are still plenty of great people around.
That is amazing. What a great service. It's wonderful to hear about the goodness in people.
What a wonderful and admirable way to serve others! Thank you for sharing this, Hilary. These volunteers are inspiring. Hopefully their actions will inspire others around the world as well. They've inspired me. :) Have a great weekend!
@ Curtis - we do indeed get a wonderful mix of WATWB posts and thus stories of inspirational things happening in all parts of the world ... and yes 'get on yer bike' does take on a whole new meaning doesn't it.
The idea of these "We are the World Blogfest" post has been a great idea - I'm so glad so many of us have joined in ...
@ Ronel - they're keeping to the speed limits - so cannot race, just go as fast as possible ... but giving us an essential service. It is brilliant isn't it ...
@ Michael - they are paying it forward aren't they - but they do deserve the honour. I'm glad I've highlighted these blood couriers - so thank you - they'll be pleased and as you say showing us that good things happen too ... with a service to help others ...
@ Simon - I'm sure there'll be people in the background waiting to join in and help ... we don't seem to find out about these sort of services until we have a need - or as here via the blogfest ...
@ Pat - yes there certainly are some wonderful people, who will always step up to the plate ...
@ Holly - I love this blogfest - letting us know about unsung heroes and unsung projects ...
@ Karen - it is an admirable way to give hope to those in dire need via their blood couriering service ... also that inspiration to get out and help others ...
Thanks so much to you all - I'm glad I've highlighted this blood courier service - they are now known around the world ... thanks to you all - cheers Hilary
What an amazing and wonderful group! Such a positive impact! Hugs...
How fantastic there's a group like this! I love hearing good stories about compassionate folks. :) Have a lovely day.
That's awesome! These riders are doing infinite good, saving lives. We need them here!
They sound like real heroes. So cool! :)
This is truly amazing. Thanks for sharing!
www.ficklemillennial.com
What an amazing group of volunteers. We need more like them. Cities everywhere could use more compassion like this.
Oh wow, what a fantastic service!
What a wonderful group of people! So inspirational! Thanks for sharing! Love this bloghop!!!
Hi Hilary, bikers on this side of The Pond do all kinds of charitable causes. God Bless these good folks! Who's going to mess with them? Not me. I support them.
@ RO - they are making a huge impact on people's lives when in desperate need ...
@ Christine - it is amazing to learn of their services and to know it's being run by thoughtful people serving their community ...
@ Chrys - I'm sure you've got similar groups in the States ... but these are wonderful people to read about ...
@ Mark - they are certainly doing heroic work ...
@ Gina - it's a wonderful service ...
@ Sharon - yes it is so good to know there are people who are committed to their cause ...
@ Lynda - the organisation offers security of knowing a courier can be provided in times of dire need ...
@ Yolanda - yes I agree - I love the bloghop too ... and am glad I found out about these service that's provided here ...
@ Stephen - yes I felt sure there are groups in the States who do this work ... and as you say other charitable causes ... and we are blessed they are there to help ...
Thanks everyone - it's good to know the concept of these blood couriers gets out - then the awareness of their work will spread too ... cheers to you all - Hilary
A beautiful share Hilary. There is still much goodness in the world. :)
Thanks Debby - they are dedicated to their Service ... it was wonderful to find out about them ... and yes, thankfully there is still goodness in the world. Cheers Hilary
That's a wonderful service!
Hi Deniz - similar services seem to operate around the UK ... which is great for all areas ... cheers Hilary
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