The Leicestershire and Rutland Blood Bikes General Committee is made up of:
Oliver Cufflin (Chairman and Milk Team) – chairman@lrbloodbikes.org.uk
Ollie is responsible for the group as a whole, making sure we achieve what we set out to do and trying to keep us moving in the right direction.
Ollie was part of the small team that started the group in 2014 and has helped develop it into what it is today. He enjoys being part of the blood biking community and always comments on how privileged he feels to serve as Chairman.
Ollie also leads our work with the Birmingham Women’s Hospital and supports the collection and delivery of donated breast milk.
Any mothers interested in donating milk can contact Birmingham Women’s Hospital on 0121 623 6870. milkteam@lrbloodbikes.org.uk
Ian Birnie (Vice Chairman and Operations Manager) – operations@lrbloodbikes.org.uk
Ian’s role as vice chairman is to be aware of all that the chairman is involved in and to be able to stand-in and represent the group if the Chairman is not available to do so.
Ian is also our group Operations Manager, responsible for day to day operational issues and our vehicle fleet; supported by Chris and Les (fleet@lrbloodbikes.org.uk)
Ian also looks after our stores / equipment.
Chris Rollestone (Membership Manager) – supporters@lrbloodbikes.org.uk
Chris co-ordinates the new member activities in the group and ensures all new members are trained to a high standard.
Chris joined the group as he wanted to continue serving his local community after 30 years of service in the Leicester Fire and Rescue Service and UKISAR.
Chris is supported by Les with some of the day to day activities with getting new people actively involved in the group, as well as looking after the fleet.
Les Congdon (Treasurer) – treasurer@lrbloodbikes.org.uk
Les takes care of our finances and book-keeping activities.
Les became interested in joining as a committee member after he attended an event we were at. After completing his IAM, he decided to join the group.
Not only does Les look after our finances, but he also helps out with the fleet, is one of our blood bikers, and is a controller, too… an all-round hero!
Jonathan Bostock (Media Manager) – media@lrbloodbikes.org.uk
Joanne Congdon (Events Manager) – events@lrbloodbikes.org.uk
Jo heads up our fundraising and publicity events activities. If you have any ideas for future events, or feedback on recent events, willing to host an event, or are running a gala, fete or the like and would like Leicestershire and Rutland Blood Bikes to be at your event please get in touch!
Jo also looks after our yellow collection “tins” getting them into venues when possible.
Jo joined us back in 2018 as she was becoming a self-confessed “blood biking widow” due to Les’s involvement with the group. As a controller and the Events Manager, Jo is a very busy member of the group.
Phil Palmer (Rota Manager) – rota@lrbloodbikes.org.uk
Phil makes sure our rider / driver rota is up to date and we have sufficient cover for all dates in the near future, continuing to offer out of hour transportation service to our local hospitals and NHS partners.
Phil is also involved with our neighbouring group Warwickshire Blood Bikes as he lives on the boder of Leicestershire and Warwickshire.
Being a blood biker allows Phil to combine his passion for riding motorcycles with giving something back to his local community.
When his first grandchild was born, his daughter needed a blood transfusion – knowing there are people like us out there all across the UK, this gave Phil peace of mind and pride.
Pete Dawkins (Friday Team) – fridayteam@lrbloodbikes.org.uk
We offer support to our local NHS teams on a Friday afternoon for collecting and delivery of blood samples and blood products. Pete ensures we have a rider /driver available and manages this part of our work, called the “Friday Team”.
Pete retired a few years ago, and wanted to volunteer for the group due to being a keen motorcyclist, and also wanting to help the local NHS services.
Hearing from the hospital teams that we make a difference, is the most humbling part of volunteering for Pete.
Pete is extremely passionate about anything motorcycling related and has toured for many years in the UK and abroad, with his wife Sue, and friends.