Greater Manchester Blood Bikes

Greater Manchester Blood Bikes
Founded15 November 2022[1]
TypeCharitable incorporated organisation
Registration no.1201009[1]
Location
Area served
Chair
Russ Harrison[2]
Websitehttps://www.gmbb.org.uk/
Formerly called
New Charity in 2022

Greater Manchester Blood Bikes – a UK charity providing courier services for the transportation of urgent and emergency medical items such as blood, human milk, platelets, samples, vaccines, operating in Greater Manchester.[3][1]

The group, originally set up in 2011,[4] closed operations and transferred their assets along with the "on call" phone number to a new charity, registered as a charitable incorporated organisation in November 2022.[1] Having started operations on 1 January 2023, the new group covers the same geographical area and is composed of experienced volunteers from Blood Bikes Manchester (also known as NorthWest Blood Bikes Manchester).[4]

In 2019, the charity estimated to had saved the NHS and hospices £341,350 in six years and was recognised by the government as an emergency service who alleviated high night-time costs of couriers and taxis.[5] In October 2021, the charity was covering 1700+ miles per week on 4 motorcycles and a car which was used in inclement weather conditions.[3] In December 2021, with 57 volunteers, the annual costs were £37,029.[4] GMBB raise funds from donors,[6] at charity events,[7] from bucket collections,[8] and online through PayPal, Just Giving, Buy Me a Coffee and Easy Fundraising.[9]

The motorcycle and car rides are provided by volunteers at night, daytime weekends and bank holidays.[10] The vehicles are marked with the word BLOOD in front and covered in yellow and orange liveries allowing them to stand out despite missing blue lights. The riders are not allowed to exceed speed limits or go through red lights but hold advanced driving qualifications.[11] Riders operate from home, working with a duty controller who acts as a dispatcher taking calls and dispatching the riders. They aim for a 90-minute service from receiving a call to delivering the cargo. On each shift, there are at least two riders and one car.[11]

GMBB work with several hospitals in the area, including Salford Royal, Wythenshawe Hospital, Tameside General Hospital and Stepping Hill,[11] and deliver blood to North West Air Ambulance helicopters based at Barton Aerodrome and Blackpool Airport.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Greater Manchester Blood Bikes". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Chair & Trustees". Greater Manchester Blood Bikes. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Manchester Blood Bikes". St Andrews House Medical Centre. October 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Blood Bikes Manchester". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Blood Bikes Manchester". St Ann's Hospice. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Greater Manchester Blood Bikes". Rotary Club of Dukinfield & Stalybridge. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Latics Team Up With Greater Manchester Blood Bikes". Oldham Athletic. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Greater Manchester Blood Bikes to hold bucket collection". Stockport County. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Ways to give". Greater Manchester Blood Bikes. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Greater Manchester Blood Bikes". Greater Manchester Blood Bikes. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Yarwood, Sam (25 December 2019). "Blood, breast milk and a load of burly bikers... meet the motorcyclists saving lives with the city's most important deliveries". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Who we work with". North West Air Ambulance. Retrieved 2 September 2023.