A car called “Tim R” will help an emergency courier team get essential medical items to healthcare providers across the Humber.
In a generous gesture from Hessle-based health and social group NLG, an estate car has been donated to the Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service (LEBBS). The fully liveried car is named “Tim R” after one of the long-term clients for whom NLG provides care and who is a regular visitor to the company.
The car will be especially useful in the winter months when motorbikes tend to be on the road less frequently. The Skoda Estate will also be used as a normal staff car, allowing non-motorcyclists to drive, and as a weekend events vehicle to transport equipment that will not fit on a motorbike such as tables, chairs, gazebos and pull-up banners.
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Richard Barker, marketing manager at LEBBS, is one of the 155 volunteer rider/drivers at the charity, which relies solely on public donations to support its activities. "People's generosity astounds me," said Richard.
"And the Tim R car is already helping us to provide a vital part of the LEBBS service in supporting the needs of the NHS and also carrying equipment at the weekends for promotional shows and events. There is a growing awareness within the NHS about what we and other blood bike charities around the country do through the National Blood Bikes Association.
"The work LEBBS does with the NHS has dramatically increased and our volunteer driver/riders did 137,000 miles in 2023 supporting the NHS and its patients in the Lincolnshire and Humber area."
Mark Hathway, managing director of NLG, who are major suppliers to the NHS and UK health care, said: "The people at LEBBS are phenomenal. They are professional, committed, incredibly generous and do absolutely amazing work for the community.
“That's why they are one of the main charities NLG supports with an annual sponsorship commitment and we totally back them with their activities." Tim R, who lives in Scunthorpe, was said by his mother Maggie to “be delighted” and “completely made up” to see his name on the car, and to be presented with framed photos showing off the liveried vehicle.
Mark said: "NLG has supported Tim over the years with care and support; all our service users are very important but Tim is special to us, which is why we wanted to name the car after him." As a completely free service funded by public donations alone, LEBBS' mission is to save lives, and save money for the NHS, while also promoting a positive image of motorcyclists.
LEBBS' out-of-hours courier service transports essential medical items between hospitals and healthcare facilities in south and north Lincolnshire, including Boston, Grantham and Lincoln and in the north at Goole, Grimsby and Scunthorpe. LEBBS has 155 member drivers, the majority of whom are motorbike riders who have to undergo advanced rider skills and qualifications.
With a fleet of 11 bikes, ranging from a 1300CC Yamaha to a 650CC Kawasaki, the charity also has five cars, including a van and a trailer. NLG's sponsorship of LEBBS started in 2023, having previously supported them with office and admin.
It has also included vital support in the pre-Christmas period with a “heel prick” blood spot sample service for newborn babies, through which newborns' blood samples are sent by bike and vehicle courier from Lincolnshire hospitals for testing at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
In addition to LEBBS, NLG’s support also includes the Overseas Plastic Surgery Appeal (OPSA), the international children's charity, and the Sheffield-based Support Dogs charity.
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