Community Recognition

Citations can come and go. Some are expected, some, like the one received recently by Carol Weller, co-ordinator of the Essex Voluntary Blood Service, come as a complete surprise and delight.
Our own Essex bloodrunner Ken Smith takes up the story:
“I received this email from Carol on November 27.  It read: Good afternoon all. I have run this group for ten years now and have built up from three hospitals to what it is now. Last night I received an email that I have waited ten years for. Now it has finally arrived. No-one will ever know what this means to me. Thank you all for making this happen.”

Proud Of Support

The email read:
Dear Carol. I am delighted to announce that Essex Voluntary Blood Service have been nominated for a Colchester Borough Council Community Recognition Award.  Thank you for making a difference within your local community.  EVBS thoroughly deserves this award.
The attached PDF certificate will be followed by an official certificate personally signed by the Mayor of Colchester once restrictions have been eased.  Until then, please print and display the certificate and feel proud of the support your volunteer’s staff and organisation have provided.

5,000 Runs In 2020

Ken Smith updates us on EVBS’s achievements.  “When I spoke to Carol, she said the group had done 5,000 runs this year so far.  If I am right, the total for all 2019 was 1,400 when we covered only seven nights a week plus weekend and bank holidays whereas, since April this year, we have been running 24/7.
“We now carry blood and blood products (platelets etc), samples, milk, equipment occasionally, plus delivering medications to patients from pharmacies and surgeries.  And we service the Essex and Herts Ambulances every night of the year with the blood they carry on the helicopters and the emergency response vehicle.
“Current membership is back up around 95 having fallen back to around 80 compared to a high of almost 125 at the peak of the pandemic.”
As “Biker” Ken has told us over the past months, the bloodrunners provide hospitals, clinics and surgeries with vital blood and milk supplies plus much else. It involves a 24/7 operation, call-outs in the middle of the night and much more.
Now Ken has passed on to this Newsletter the diagram above highlighting their incredible record in the past year.  It is accompanied by a personal citation and tribute from Carol Weller, EVBS co-ordinator and Chair Lady:
It reads: “This diagram shows what a tremendous success we have had, we are meeting more and more needs and demands I cannot thank anyone and everyone one enough who have made this. With a special thanks to your Rotary club for illustrating our success.” “
Ed: As a Rotary club, we are delighted to keep the achievements of this wonderful organisation highlighted