One of DHU Healthcare’s Directors has raised hundreds of pounds for Derbyshire Blood Bikes running the Edinburgh Marathon.
DHU Director of Urgent and Emergency Care Derbyshire, Kirsty Osborn, ran the 26.2 mile route in the searing heat to help raise money for the life-saving charity that directly supports some of the care DHU provides.
As a not-for profit, Community Interest Company, DHU is committed to supporting local communities and projects that have a social impact. Derbyshire Blood Bikes’ work as a medical courier helps to ensure that essential items are delivered quickly and safely across the region, including diagnostic samples, medication, blood and blood products from some of DHU’s services.
"Very close to our hearts..."
Kirsty’s total currently stands just short of £1,200, a total that will be match funded by DHU Healthcare, and Kirsty said: “It was incredibly tough to run the gruelling course in unseasonably high temperatures. But the Derbyshire Blood Bikes is a charity very close to the hearts of a lot of us within DHU’s urgent care division and provides an essential service in difficult circumstances.
“During weekends and bank holidays the standard transport services are not always available so Derbyshire Blood Bikes volunteers regularly support the transport of blood samples to local hospitals. This speeds up diagnostics and helps to maintain continuity of care for our patients.”
Mark Vallis is Operations Manager for Derbyshire Blood Bikes and applauds what Kirsty has done for the service at a difficult time, adding: ‘We support DHU in their operations, caring for the health of our communities, so we are always delighted when someone joins the effort to support our service like this.
“The timing could not be better. We are experiencing an increase in our fuel costs, already around twenty percent on last year. Derbyshire Blood Bikes carry out more than 8,000 journeys, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of over 120,000 patients every year, be that with transfusion products, diagnostic samples, medication or donor breast milk. All completely voluntary and free to our service users."
"We go out every day..."
Some DHU colleagues volunteer and contribute to the service, including DHU Head of Clinical Services Ian Ware (below, right), who added: “I was aware of the Blood Biking service from my work within the NHS so having obtained my Advanced Rider qualification through RoSPA I was able to combine my passion for motorbikes with dedicating some of my spare time.
“We go out every day and night whatever the weather, often in rush hour traffic and needing 100% focus on the job in hand to get to the destination in good time. It’s something I enjoy and gives me a sense of positivity. Donations are needed now more than ever with the increased fuel prices estimated to create an annual fuel cost for the charity £5,000 up on the last year.”
Helping such a worthwhile and potentially life-saving cause is part of DHU’s responsibility and actions as a Community Interest Company and we’re delighted to be able to support Derbyshire Blood Bikes in this way.
Anyone wishing to support Kirsty can still do so by visiting and donating to her fundraising page, just click here for details.
