Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes (SSBB) have unveiled a brand new bike called ‘Angel’ that will be used at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
It has been named Angel after blood bike volunteer Steve Hunter’s first granddaughter who was stillborn at the hospital five years ago. Steve, 63, and his family have never forgotten how staff looked after them during what was a tough time.
“The care they received here made such a difference,” Steve said. “The staff were brilliant. It was quite a difficult labour and the staff let them have time with her.”
Angel’s parents had been expecting to have a boy and had not prepared any girls names, but on her delivery when staff said she looked like “a little angel” they decided that would be the perfect name for her.
All 12 bikes in the SSBB’s fleet are named for poignant tributes such as Angel or to say thank you to donors and organisations.
When a National Lottery grant of £10,000 paved the way for a new Yamaha FJR 1300 to be used as a blood bike at the Countess, the charity knew they wanted to do something special for Steve and his family.
“It was a very special day for our charity when the Lord Mayor of Chester cut the ribbon and officially launched ‘Angel’ as part of our fleet,” SSBB Chair Helen Bundy said. “Angel will play a big part in continuing to provide a service to the Countess and to expand upon those services as required. Our Cheshire riders are delighted with her arrival as are we all.”
Lord Mayor of Chester Councillor Angela Claydon, who cut the ribbon on the new bike, was touched by how the charity supports the community.
“It’s marvellous to see volunteers helping the hospital in this way and the bike Angel will prove invaluable to the people in this area,” Cllr Claydon said.
SSBB, which has 220 members and recently celebrated its third birthday, has had a long-standing relationship with the Countess delivering samples for the Northwest Milk Bank for 18 months.
They started transporting blood products on trial basis for the hospital last April and that has also proven to be a big success.
“It is great that the rest of the hospital had the opportunity to meet members of the SSBB and hear what a fantastic service they are providing to the Countess,” Pathology Quality Manager Kathleen Holden said.
“We greatly value the commitment and dedication that the team of volunteers and the riders demonstrate serving us 365 days a year to deliver blood products, patient samples and breast milk for the Northwest Human Milk Bank.”
:: To visit the SSBB website click here.