The fundraising efforts of the 2022/3 Golf Captains were actualised last weekend, when Devon Freewheelers visited Exeter Golf and Country Club to present their new ‘blood bike’. The Triumph 900 GT Pro motorbike was funded entirely by the £17,000 raised by the golf members throughout last year, headed up by the Golf Captains, Steve Sheldon and Christine Norton.
The new bike will be used by Devon Freewheeler volunteers across East Devon delivering essential whole blood, blood and other medical samples, medication, patient notes, medical equipment, tissue samples and donor breast milk to hospitals, air ambulances and other NHS establishments and even to patients homes.
Devon Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service is a team of volunteer GMP trained Riders and GMP trained Drivers, Call Handlers and Fundraisers who are dedicated to providing a 24 hrs a day 7 days a week service.
Russell Roe, CEO of Devon Freewheelers said,
“We would like to thank Steve Sheldon the Men’s Golf Captain and Christine Norton the Ladies’ Golf Captain for choosing Devon Freewheelers as their charity of choice for 2022-2023.
The generosity of the clubs members has enabled us to purchase a Triumph 900 GT Pro which has been prepared and is now ready for service thanks to one of our dedicated volunteers Mick Scaife. This bike will be used by predominantly by our east area team across East Devon. We are honoured to be supported by clubs and organisations across the county as without your support we would not be able to continue providing this vital free service to the NHS and community.”
Steve became aware of the vital support the volunteers at Devon Freewheelers provide to the NHS through talking with a member of staff at Exeter Golf and Country Club. Jim, the husband of Spa Manager, Tanya Robinson, has volunteered as a motorcyclist for Devon Freewheelers for a number of years and it was through them that Steve became aware of the unsung, yet invaluable, support the charity provides to the NHS and how their impact helps people of all ages and from all backgrounds, often in the most extreme emergency situations.
Steve and Christine raised the money through a series of events during their captaincy year including the Ladies and Men’s Pro Am events in May and June, the Ladies and Men’s Captaincy Days in June and July and Christmas golf event in December.
Steve said, “I was overwhelmed by the support of the golf members in raising such a phenomenal sum of money for Devon Freewheelers. It has been so rewarding to see our efforts realised into a motorbike that will immediately bolster the charity’s ability to respond to urgent needs of our local NHS services. Chris and I would like to thank everyone who joined us for events last year and delighted that the generosity of our fellow members has enabled the purchase of this additional ‘blood bike’ to carry out these essential voluntary services.”
