Women across Cumbria are showing their support for a charity which helps save lives across the county by donating £1,000, and urging more females to get involved.

Blood Bikes Cumbria uses volunteer riders and drivers to transport blood, drugs, human tissue and other urgent medical supplies in an emergency, day or night.

Its work now been backed by the Cumbria Women of the Year organisation, which handed over funds raised at last year's awards ceremony after members nominated the cause.

The donation comes as nominations for Cumbria Woman of the Year 2016 open, meaning local people have the chance to put forward the names of amazing women in their own communities.

Last year's winner, Rachel Holliday, was recognised for her work setting up the Calderwood House homeless veterans hostel in Egremont.

Previous winners have also included radio presenter Val Armstrong, of Carlisle, who twice battled breast cancer.


Anne Marie Moffat is currently the only female driver on the Blood Bikes Cumbria team – but she wants to change that.

The 43-year-old mum, from Egremont, can be on call to transport blood, tissue, samples and medical equipment across the county in an emergency, helping to save lives of local people.

She isn’t told exactly what she is transporting, but she knows that somewhere a patient is depending on it.

And her own personal experience means she understands just how important these supplies can be.

“My son – who is 14 now – was in special care for 11 days. He was kept under lights and had to have blood taken out of him every morning and we’d wait for the test results to come back.

“I was that parent, sat at the end of the cot, waiting for answers, waiting to get him home,” she said.

“You don’t get told what you are carrying but you can often tell, if it’s a piece of medical equipment for example.

“I remember one night when there was a three-week old baby who was seriously ill. He’d had a lumber puncture and I knew this piece of equipment I’d brought was going to help try and save him. For me, being called out at 12.20 at night, that’s why I do it.”

Having just been made vice chairwoman of Blood Bikes Cumbria, Ann Marie is urging more women to get involved.

There are opportunities as emergency riders or drivers, as well as controllers or behind the scenes roles.

Anne Marie said she got involved through her husband, who has been a Blood Bikes rider since it started two years ago.

Although she herself has a bike licence, she drives a car for the charity after completing an advanced driving course.

Blood Bikes Cumbria also delivers blood to the air ambulance – providing vital supplies that have literally saved lives.

Stan Hill, 66, is chairman of the charity – set up by recently-retired founder Bill Bertham – and said they really need more people like Ann Marie to volunteer. He is particularly keen to hear from women who may have families and have free time during the school day.

“I want to see more female riders and drivers. Our volunteers are amazing. They give up their time and a lot of them also hold down full time jobs. Altogether we’ve got 93 drivers, riders and controllers, but we always want more,” he explained.

“I came on board because I’m a transplant patient. I know what it’s like being in hospital waiting. A lot of our riders have family members, often children, who have needed blood, for example.”

Stan added that donations, like the one from Cumbria Women of the Year, are also vital to their work.

“Without the people of Cumbria this just wouldn’t exist. We rely on donations. It costs us almost £1,000 a month for fuel alone. Plus £5,000 to £6,000 a year for insurance,” he said.

Blood Bikes Cumbria is part of a nationwide organisation, The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes. Each group within the organisation runs independently but follows their guide lines.

Blood Bikes provide out-of-hours transport 365 days of the year to transport urgently needed blood, drugs, human tissue and other medical requirements between hospitals and blood transfusion banks.

They also supply the Great North Air Ambulance with fresh blood for their blood on board service every day of the week.

Without them local hospitals would have to rely on private taxis.

To find out more and get involved visit bbcumbria.org.