DUMFRIES and Galloway Blood Bikes have paid a fitting tribute to one of its riders who passed away last year.
The charity, which sees volunteers deliver emergency medical equipment and supplies for the NHS free of charge, has named the newest bike to join its fleet after “proud volunteer bloodbiker” Alan Shaw.
The team was devastated by Alan’s death in February 2020, which came following a long battle with illness.
And last week they unveiled the motorcycle named after him, which Alan’s daughter Catherine said her dad “would have been over the moon with”.
“Totally gobsmacked,” she added, “since I don’t think he ever realised the positive and uplifting impact he had on people. He is missed by so many. Well done dad.”
In a statement, Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes said: “Alan was a true gentleman and always had a smile on his face. He had a massive impact on so many people’s lives.
“He loved nothing more than being out on a bike, whether that was his own bike or a Blood Bike.
“Alan dedicated many hours for the patients of our NHS, transporting urgent samples, standing for hours at events, attending talks and presentations to spread the work that he and Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes do.
“Sadly Alan passed away before the pandemic, meaning we were not able to have a celebration of his life, but this is still on the cards and we are all looking forward to getting together to do this. Our love and thoughts continue to go to all of Alan’s family and we thank them for their continued support.”
