Becky at the wheel of Blood Bikes

 The founder of an emergency blood transport service in Galway has been shortlisted for an award in this years Panadol-supported Volunteer Ireland Awards.

Becky Blight, who is based in Ballybrit, started the Blood Bikes in Ireland service. She has been nominated in the Health and Disability Category and is one of 31 volunteers on the shortlist in Ireland’s major annual volunteer recognition event.

An overall Volunteer of the Year and ten Category Awardees will be announced on Thursday, December 5 in Dublin City Hall at a gala Volunteer Ireland Awards ceremony supported by Panadol and hosted by RTE Presenter Keelin Shanley.

Becky Blight set up the organisation Blood Bikes in Ireland. She is currently Secretary, Controller and Acting Treasurer of Blood Bikes.

Blood Bikes has been in existence in the UK for 60 years but never in Ireland. Now Becky has helped set up groups in Belfast, Cavan, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Leinster, Limerick and, of course, the group she runs in Galway.

The organisation provides a free, volunteer-run service to the HSE transporting blood and patient products outside of office hours throughout the country.

Becky works full time and volunteers so much of her free time to Blood Bike West which has saved the lives of several children through their quick response times.

Caroline Mills who nominated Becky for a Volunteer Ireland Award said: “Becky always goes above and beyond to keep the charity going. She was instrumental in its set up from the start. Becky is always on hand to help the other members and delivers a very professional service.”

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.