Highland & Islands Blood Bikes has successfully secured £15,000 thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme.
The organisation, which aims to protect NHS resources by providing a delivery service for urgent medical supplies, was awarded the funding after being shortlisted by the convenience retailer as one of three good causes and charities in the North of Scotland to receive financial support from an £25,000 pot.
The other recipients of funding in the North, who secured £5,000 each, were The Allotment Market Stall, which promotes the values of allotment gardening by selling excess produce and helping to reduce food waste, and Highland Riding for the Disabled, which strives to enrich lives for disabled adults and children of all ages, through horses.
Geoffrey Matthews, volunteer and fundraiser at Highland & Islands Blood Bikes said:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive a £15,000 Scotmid Community Connect Award.
“This award will allow us to purchase a vehicle so we can provide an all-weather capability to the Blood Bike medical transport service.
“This funding will make a huge difference to the communities in the most northern areas of mainland Scotland by providing the same level of service that urban communities already receive.”
Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, more than £460,000 has been awarded to 42 good cause groups, enabling key projects to come to life in local areas.
Shirley MacGillivray, Head of Communities and Membership at Scotmid, said:
“Community Connect is one of the main ways we can support those communities that we serve and we are delighted to provide Highland & Islands Blood Bikes with this funding, which will help them to continue providing vital services.
“Times remain challenging for many people; being able to help improve the lives of others across the country is one of the very reasons we exist.”
