Donations see Blood Bikes riders receive life-saving jackets

Blood bike riders in Dumfries and Galloway have become the first team to be kitted out with new, potentially life-saving equipment.

The bikers, who deliver blood samples and medical supplies between sites, will be using protective inflatable vests.

Andrew and Eric McCowan from Dalbeattie with the bike ‘Frances’, named after Frances McCowan Credit: NHS DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

Dave Hook is chairman of Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes, and he said: “These jackets are truly extraordinary pieces of kit, and an extremely welcome addition locally.

“Every day we have teams of motorcyclists carrying out really vital work transporting supplies of blood as well as materials for testing, and this takes them the length and breadth of the country. This is all done by unpaid volunteers who donate their time to make a difference to our region."

“Thanks to extremely generous conditions and the support of a manufacturer, we’re now in a position to kit out our riders with these jackets which may prove truly life-saving if the worst should happen.”

  • Video report by Dumfries & Galloway reporter Lewis Warner

Moffat Hospital League of Friends was able to pay for four vests and more than 40 vests were funded by Dumfries Hospitals League of Friends.

A spokesman for the company Airvest said: “We’re delighted to be able to support Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes in the important work they carry out within the region and throughout the UK.

“We hope that the Airvests we’ve provided will help to ensure the safety of those riders as they take to the roads, and provide them with greater confidence as they carry out this work.”

Dr Peter Armstrong is a consultant in Emergency Medicine with NHS Dumfries and Galloway, and he said: “We’re no strangers to the sometimes very serious injuries that can be experienced by motorcyclists.

“Ensuring you take every possible precaution such as wearing proper protective clothing is going to be very important in ensuring the best outcome if things go wrong. Of course, we would always advise motorcyclists to take great care when out in the roads, and give full consideration to the conditions.”