The New Hertfordshire Mark Emergency Blood Car is Formally Delivered

Great excitement as the new SERV Herts and Beds Emergency Blood Car donated by the members of the Mark Province of Hertfordshire arrives for the official handover.
The setting was Harpenden Fire Station, one of the bases for the new car.  All four SERV Herts and Beds Blood Bikes were also at the ceremony, the first time that they have all been in the same place at the same time in their history, along with their riders: Dave Wilson, Paul Hodgkinson, Steve Groves and John McCombe, all highly experienced and exceptionally hard-working volunteers who each complete over 100 lifesaving runs every year.

The Provincial Grand Master of the Hertfordshire Mark, RWBro.Richard Walker officially hands over the vehicle keys to a delighted Ian Hunt, President of the SERV Herts and Beds Blood Bike Group.
The Provincial Grand Master commented: “In the past the Mark Province of Hertfordshire has proudly supported the SERV Herts and Beds Blood Bike Group in a variety of ways. However today, on behalf of all the members of the Hertfordshire Mark, I am delighted to formally hand over the keys for this superb vehicle which is such a significant addition to the SERV Herts and Beds fleet. 
I am so proud that the generosity of our Hertfordshire Mark Brethren has enabled us to continue to support SERV and the Human Milk Foundation in their ongoing life-saving work in such a significant manner."

Ian Hunt, Chairman of the SERV Herts and Beds Group confirmed that this important new addition to the fleet has already enabled their volunteers to expand their vital service by providing a significant increase in capacity and flexibility. A prime example being urgent consignments of neo-natal donor milk which would usually require numerous Blood Bikes and riders to fulfil but can be accomplished by a single car journey.  The car’s ability to operate at temperatures too low for bikes to carry blood and the benefit of a liveried car in negotiating London traffic were also cited by Mr Hunt.  

A grateful Dr Natalie Shenker, co-founder and the driving force of the Human Milk Foundation commented:
"The Hearts Milk Bank has grown from a start-up to one of the largest human milk banks in the country over the last 4 years, and there is no doubt that our charity could not have succeeded without the constant support of SERV Herts and Beds. It is wonderful that our charities are growing together, and the arrival of this car will mean much larger volumes of precious donor milk can be collected and delivered across our region and beyond.
Thank you so much again – all the hospitals and families that Hearts is able to support will truly benefit from the generosity of the Hertfordshire Mark Freemasons.”