A team from Blood Bikes Wales will ride into this year’s Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival (May 26-27th) for the first time, giving festival goers a chance to learn more about the vital role this fantastic charity plays in relieving pressure on our massively overstretched National Health Service.
Blood Bikes Wales volunteers provide a completely free courier service for the NHS in Wales, relying solely on volunteers and public donations; working around the clock to deliver among other things, essential blood supplies and samples, plasma, donor milk for specialist baby units and medication between the various hospitals.
Blood Bikes will be based at the Old Hall Gardens site which will be buzzing with lots of family-friendly activities to enjoy; willow weaving, pétanque, birds of prey and so much more.
In another fabulous festival first, the Vale Food Trail will also be at the site celebrating sustainability with a fun timetable of children’s activities and the Lemoneers will be adding extra festival fizz with their homemade lemonade!
As well as one of the team’s own bikes on display, there’ll be a cute children’s version for family fun and photos and charity volunteers will be on hand to chat to visitors and raise awareness about the hugely important work being done to support the NHS.
The charity estimates that with every pound donated to Blood Bikes Wales, the NHS actually saves £5, which can be invested into frontline care.
Speaking about their Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival debut, Blood Bikes Wales trustee Mark Snatchfold said:
“We’re an enthusiastic group of people based all over Wales and keen to make a difference. Most of us are riders but we rely just as much on our non-rider volunteers and for support and fundraising with so many roles to be fulfilled.
“It’s great to be part of the festival this year and have this platform to speak to new people about what we do – it’s surprising how many aren’t aware of the charity and especially that it is entirely volunteer based. It’s so important for us get our message out there and if anyone wants to join us, we can never have too many members!”
Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival manager Tracy James-Lieberman said she was delighted to welcome the Blood Bikes team for the first time.
“I have to be honest that I wasn’t very aware of the tireless work these guys are doing myself and once we heard more about it, we couldn’t wait to welcome them to the festival and hope they have a fantastic event with us this year.”
