MIDLOTHIAN South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame sponsored an event in Holyrood last week to raise awareness of the valuable service Blood Bikes Scotland provide to NHS Scotland.

Blood Bikes Scotland is a voluntary organisation that supports the Scottish NHS by transporting blood and other test samples from wards to labs, as well as delivering medication to patients’ homes.

The service is completely free of charge to the NHS and is run entirely by volunteers.

Peeblesshire News: MSP Christine Grahame sponsored an event in Holyrood last week to raise awareness of the valuable service Blood Bikes Scotland provide to NHS Scotland

After bumping into BBS Founder Brian Fraser and Phil Dodsworth at Penicuik in the Park, Ms Grahame offered to host the event in the Scottish Parliament.

She said: “The Blood Bikers perform a vital service for NHS Scotland, yet even some people working in the health service are unaware of what they do.

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“Given that BBS is run entirely by volunteers sacrificing their spare time to help transport lifesaving cargo, I felt it was important to do what I could to shine a light on the service.

"BBS started operating in Scotland in the Borders in 2014 and, led by Founders Brian Fraser & Ron Spalding, spread across the country from there. They now possess an impressive fleet of 15 motorcycles and 5 cars.

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“The Bikers brought a shiny Electric bike in to Parliament and MSPs had the opportunity to have a photo astride it. You will have guessed that there was a lengthy queue of MSPs for a piccie but it also gave the Blood Bikers the opportunity to inform politicians of their work.”

Phil Dodsworth, Trustee of Blood Bikes Scotland said: "It's fantastic to experience such recognition and support from the Scottish Parliament, and share information and anecdotes with MSPs about the work that we do. Behind every job there is a patient and sometimes multiple patients, so it was particularly gratifying to see so much interest and encouragement".