King’s Lynn RAF Air Cadets recently had a visit and presentation by a volunteer of SERV, the Norfolk Blood Bikes. SERV stands for Service by Emergency Response Volunteers.
Like the Air Ambulance, the Blood Bikes have no state funding and are completely reliant on donations and sponsorship to operate this vital service. Also everyone on the team is an unpaid volunteer.
So what do they do? Since 1981 the transport of vital blood, platelets, samples and breast milk has no longer been undertaken by emergency service vehicles at night and weekends Because of this volunteer motor cycle groups were set up across the country to deliver vital products to hospitals, cutting the cost of expensive taxis and couriers for the NHS. SERV’s riders deliver to Norfolk’s three main hospitals and RV with other groups riders for deliveries further afield.
The very interesting presentation to the cadets of 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron was given by Iain Grimes who explained how the system worked with the hospitals liaising with SERV’s volunteer controllers who then organise and coordinate the on duty riders. Many of the Blood Bike riders are professionals with day jobs such as lawyers, firemen, and yes, even clergymen.
Unfortunately unable to attend the squadron that evening, it had been planned that the Squadrons padre, Father Andrew Davey would have been there to surprise his cadets that he was himself a Blood Bike volunteer rider.
SERV Norfolk are always looking for new riders, drivers, controllers and most vitally fundraisers as its monthly running cost is £3,250.00
SERV Norfolk Central & East Region Air Cadets
