Category: Charity

1. Foggy & Whit support Shrops & Staffs Blood Bikes

   Posted on 9:00am Friday 10th Jan 2014

   Four times World Superbikes Champion Carl Fogarty and ex-British Champion James Whitham will be the special guests at the launch of the Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes service at the RAF Museum, Cosford.

   Carl said: “I am pleased to support the Blood Bikes service which do such a great job in delivering urgently required blood and other medical items to NHS patients, helping tosave lives.”

   The newly formed Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes already have over 100 volunteer riders and supporters, ready to commence operations in support of the NHS this month with its first two specially equipped motorcycles.

   SSBB Chairman Chris Powdrill said: “We are delighted to have Carl Fogarty and TV pundit James Whitham with us to support the official launch of the Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes, to be hosted by BBCRadio Shropshire’s Jim Hawkins. The emergency Blood Bikes service is a charity run entirely by volunteers, providing a vital service delivering blood and medical items which can save the NHS up to £300 per urgent delivery compared to thecost of using commercial couriers. SSBB is fortunate to have raised sufficient funds to purchase its first two blood bikes but will need six bikes to provide cover for the whole of Shropshire and Staffordshire.”

   The SSBB launch event at RAF Museum Cosford at 2pm on 22nd January is open to everyone interested in the work of the Blood Bikes and coincides with Carl and James’ visit to Telford, where they will stage a leg of their UK chat show ‘Foggy and Whit - Givin’ it Gas’ at The Place later that evening. For full details of the tour visit www.foggyandwhit.co.uk

   If you would like to be involved or support Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes, visit here

2. Pledge Your Support To Charity's 8th National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

   Posted on 8:33am Sunday 6th Oct 2013

   We should of wound our very small charity up at the start of the year due to lack of donations and support. However we couldn't do this due to the amount of people contacting the charity from all over the UK in need of our advice or support.  

   The charity has noticed a sharp increase in the amount of carbon monoxide incident's it's seeing this year. I am sure you like I have noticed this and are as keen as us to try to prevent even more from happening. I believe we can expect more deaths and injuries from this silent killer this year if more organisations, companies etc don't join together with our very small charity to try to prevent them. I believe many of those living/working in the UK today still don't know enough about the dangers of carbon monoxide to make sure they and their family stay safe from this silent invisible killer. Therefore I thought that for just one week this November I would try to enlist your support to make sure that as many people as possible living/working throughout the UK become a little more aware about the dangers of carbon monoxide.

   Most people still don't realise that carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless highly toxic gas that is produced by the incomplete combustion of any hydrocarbon fuel e.g. coal, charcoal, wood, oil, petrol, diesel, natural gas and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) They still seem to believe that it's produced by just the incomplete combustion of "natural gas" and if they don't use natural gas or have a gas boiler they are totally safe. This just isn't true. People still believe that you either die or make a full recovery from carbon monoxide. This isn't true as many of those poisoned by just low levels of carbon monoxide go on to develop long term chronic health problems. A group of people poisoned by carbon monoxide can be found here:

   I believe anyone with a interest in people, families, health and/or the safety of others can to do much more to help prevent people being injured or falling victim to this silent killer.  The charity's posters/leaflet's carry both the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU). I am sure you will agree the webmaster did a fantastic job.

   Allowing anyone living here in the UK to find information on carbon monoxide very quickly. The charity's "Carbon Monoxide Android Phone App" can be downloaded via the above website's. Its a very handy app for everyone to have.

   The charity will launch a NEW updated website www.covictim.org on Monday 18th November 2013.  The charity's 8th National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week starts Monday 18th November 2013. However for the first time in eight years the charity finds it's unable to visit Scotland, Wales, Ireland or any other area due to lack of donations. Therefore this year we are looking for people, organisations, businesses etc to pledge their support to the charity's 8th National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week to help us reach the people we can't this year.   Please pledge your support and help us raise awareness about the dangers of this silent killer to everyone living/working here in the UK before they become the next victim of this silent killer!!!   

   Please don't forget to add Monday 18th November to your diary and do all you can to help our very small charity raise awareness about the danger of this silent killer to those living/working anywhere in the UK. I myself am a victim of this silent killer. My family and I were poisoned by carbon monoxide for over a decade. Fourteen years later we are still paying the price for our exposure to this silent killer. Please don't let someone you love/know or someone listening to YOUR show fall victim to this silent killer.  

   I don't get paid a penny for my charity work I do it because I don't want anyone else to suffer they way we have/still are. Please pledge your support and together we can save lives and prevent injuries to all those living and working in every community.

   Thank you. Kind regards

   Lynn

   Lynn Griffiths. Carbon Monoxide Awareness President/Victim of Carbon Monoxide.
   Founder of National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 
   Carbon Monoxide Awareness. Independent registered charity run "entirely" by volunteers. Charity No. 1125755

3. Santa riding down the M54 on a motorbike... in July!

   Posted on 1:17pm Tuesday 9th Jul 2013

   Apparently there was a lot of chat last night on free radio, as someone thought they had sunstroke on Sunday as they saw Santa riding down the M54 on a motorbike, then the Teletubbies on a trike.

   Well they were correct as Shifnab were doing their 5th 155 Mile Sponsored Fancy Dress Café Stop ride, in aid of the NABD (National Association for Bikers with a Disability) and the Orthotic Department @ Gobowen Hospital.

   Approximately 33 motorcyclists took part on the hottest day of the year so far, some wearing fantastic costumes over their leathers & melting inside, but it was worth it, as so far they have raised about £1,000 for the two very worth while causes with more money still being donated by companies and the general public.

   For further information or to make a donation please call 07584 449483 

   

   Shifnab were doing their 5th 155 Mile Sponsored Fancy Dress Café Stop

4. North West Blood Bikes Merseyside

   Posted on 1:18pm Monday 8th Jul 2013

   In April 1981 in Surrey, Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers (SERV) was set up to supply a quick and reliable means of Transporting Emergency Blood and Blood Products to the hospitals and medical facilities at night and weekends. This is the service we now wish to emulate and offer in our area.

   Prior to SERV the only means available to hospitals, doctors and other medical establishments for the transport of emergency blood supplies at night were the following:

   • Taxi • Ambulance • Police • Courier • Transfusion service vehicle

   Each of these options had good and bad points:

   Taxis: The advantage of these was that there were plenty of them. The disadvantage was reliability and cost. The cost to hospitals would range from £30 - £60 or more depending on location. The hospital also had to wait for one to be available and it was not guaranteed how long it would take to deliver.

   Ambulance: Fast and able to respond quickly. The disadvantage was it removed a much-needed emergency vehicle from service during the transport time.

   Police: Fast and able to respond quickly. The disadvantage was it removed a much-needed emergency vehicle from service during the transport time.

   Courier: Limited availability during the night. High cost for service

   Transfusion Service: Own vehicles are used during the day. Availability during the night was limited and hospitals were charged for the service.

   NWBB MERSEYSIDE supplies this service FREE of any charge, thus freeing up much-needed funds for improved patient care and other needed facilities within the hospital and allows the hospitals to strive to make the financial cuts the government are demanding.

   Future

   With the existing services in the Manchester area and in the Lancs & Lakes area, it is now time to expand our Merseyside operations So as to cover the whole of Merseyside and therefore WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!

   With the ever-increasing need for the health service to save much needed funds, but to ensure good patient care, the demands upon the charity grow each year.

   NWBB MERSEYSIDE Aims:-

   • To supply a safe, quick, and reliable service to local hospitals and doctors for the transport of Emergency Blood and Blood products and Baby milk. • To transport emergency medical equipment, drugs, and maybe donor organs if requested to do so. • To provide our service free of any charge so this will release more money for patient care. This service is provided between the hours of 7pm and 6am weekdays and all weekend, 365 days a year. • To supply 24hr cover over the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays.

   Help Us

   NWBB MERSEYSIDE is a charitable organisation that delivers blood products to the emergency and accident hospitals across Merseyside at night free of charge when official Health Service transportation services don't operate, as well as working other similar organisations to cover the UK if required.

   If you own or are part of a company, you could DONATE a sum of money for a specific purchase, such as, insulated blood bags or reflective jackets and NWBB MERSEYSIDE would have your company's name printed on them. Or you could always provide Corporate Sponsorship, which would ensure that NWBB MERSEYSIDE would have a regular amount each year.

   Maybe you belong to a Local Club or Group who are looking for a charity to help. Then please consider this one. All donations are welcome and you never know who might need the service. As explained, NWBB MERSEYSIDE is being asked to expand but to do so it needs the financial support to maintain it. Even small amounts all help to keep this service running, from just a few pounds to a few thousand it all helps and you can feel that even your little bit has helped towards saving a life. But not only does NWBB MERSEYSIDE need the financial support, but also the support of the medical establishments in the areas already covered, to use the service to its full potential. For without the calls the charity will fold in these areas through lack of use.

   If you wish to become a volunteer yourself and would like to know more then please email us using [email protected] or any questions please ring Norman on 07794 030182 or if you get the answerphone please leave your message, your name and your phone number so we can ring you back.

   www.nwbb-mers.org

5. Guy Martin’s Big Brew 2013 – A Great Success

   Posted on 7:16am Monday 8th Jul 2013

   Road racing legend and television star, Guy Martin, once again encouraged motorcycle riders and tea drinkers around the country to back the charity Spinal Research over the May Bank Holiday.

   Overall the Big Brew 2013 raised a fantastic £12,500 including a contribution of £2,500 from the sale of Guy Martin’s 2013 calendars. This is double last year’s total and there is still money coming in for life changing research funded by Spinal Research. Supporters all over the country brewed kettles, made tea, baked cakes, held fundraising events and generally had a great time.

   Happy Days Leisure raised the most money making £2000 and special thanks also to Wessons Café who also raised a whopping £700 – the two most successful fundraisers. Thanks to their stirling Big Brew efforts, they will get to meet Guy later this year, along with Stuart Tansley, whose name was drawn from all those that joined in and had a cuppa at their local Big Brew event organised by the Arlesey Motorcycle Club.

   Guy’s sideburns competition saw ‘sidies’ created in every way imaginable and even those who couldn’t grow them joined in on the action using glitter tattoo sideburns, amongst other things! Rosewood Farms also got in on the act and donated 10% from the sale of packs of their mutton chops to support the Big Brew. Top marks for creativity! Check out all the fabulous mutton chops entries here www.guymartinbigbrew.org

   Of course King of the mutton chops himself, Guy Martin, had great fun choosing the lucky winner, who is John Mallett and wins a fantastic Focused Events track day.

   Of the many Big Brew events held around the country, special thanks must go to the ‘growers’ at The Parks and Greenspaces Team in Merseyside, who cultivated some spectacular sideburns and raised even more money by selling cream teas too. Also, Fulton Vehicle Specialists on the Isle of Man, held their own special TT trivia quiz, with all proceeds going to the Big Brew and Spinal Research.

   The Big Brew fun day at City School of Motorcycling had something for everyone including a climbing wall, mini motos, skilled balance riding competition, stunt rider display, raffle, barbecue, teas and delicious cakes donated by Greggs.  The Big Brew action continued in Scotland as Hein Gericke Edinburgh supported the day.

   Special motorcycle ride outs that took place to celebrate the Big Brew included a ride out along the Cornish TT and the Hastings Bike 1066 Spring Opener where Cooper Tunbridge Wells held a Big Brew event on their stand.

   It’s an exciting time for Spinal Research as they are working towards clinical trials that will transform the lives of people living with paralysis, improving sensation, movement and their quality of life. The charity has a dedicated campaign specifically for motorcyclists called Ride Out and The Big Brew is one of the key events in their biking calendar.

   It’s not too late to make a donation, or if you want to discuss a fundraising idea then Spinal Research would love to hear from you.  Visit www.spinal-research.org or call Isabel on 01483 898786.

   “I’m putting my support and tea drinking enthusiasm behind The Big Brew, taking part and fundraising can make all the difference to people living with paralysis.  I hope you enjoyed the 2013 Big Brew and hope even more of you will join us in 2014.”

   Guy Martin, Ride Out for Spinal Research Ambassador