Bikers brave bad weather for hospital run

BLOOD bikers linked with West Sussex Bikers Motorcycle Club to deliver toys to children in hospital over Christmas.
Service by Emergency Rider  Volunteers (SERV) team up with West Sussex Bikers' Motorcycle Club to deliver toys to Worthing HospitalService by Emergency Rider  Volunteers (SERV) team up with West Sussex Bikers' Motorcycle Club to deliver toys to Worthing Hospital
Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers (SERV) team up with West Sussex Bikers' Motorcycle Club to deliver toys to Worthing Hospital

The club has been raising money and delivering gifts to the children and the staff who look after them at three hospitals across the county.

The Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers (SERV) usually does its own Christmas present run but agreed to link up with the club following a request from president Andy Parmenter, also known as Hobbit.

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Mr Parmenter asked SERV for help as the club had been overwhelmed with generosity from friends, family and companies throughout Sussex.

Santa and his elves greet some of the families on Bluefin Ward at Worthing HospitalSanta and his elves greet some of the families on Bluefin Ward at Worthing Hospital
Santa and his elves greet some of the families on Bluefin Ward at Worthing Hospital

Russ Green, from SERV Sussex, said: “It made sense this year to team up with the club due to the generosity in the county. A special mention has to go to Vikki Jayne Vandweller for raising an extra £100. Credit where it’s due we say.”

Gifts were taken to St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, Worthing Hospital and the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

In all, more than 60 children and their families were looked after by the MCC members, SERV and affiliated associates, including the Armed Forces Bikers and Bexhill Bikers.

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Bikers met at The Farmers pub in Lancing at 10am on Christmas Eve and rode to St Richard’s in wind and rain, along with a support car filled with presents.

Sam Latter donated all the character balloons for children on the ward and in the day centreSam Latter donated all the character balloons for children on the ward and in the day centre
Sam Latter donated all the character balloons for children on the ward and in the day centre

Club members joining Mr Parmenter and Vikki were Darren Godden, Rick Tilson, Jackie Davis, Steve Maloney and Mark Shoebridge.

Keith Grout and Gyorgy Toth from SERV Sussex met them at the hospital to assist with carrying the toys to the ward.

The Worthing Hospital run was arranged by Daniel Horn from SERV Sussex.

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Thanks to a donation from businessman Ashley Alinia, chief executive of Horsham-based Right Track Group, Bluefin Ward was presented with a Sony Playstation 4, with eight games, two iPads and chocolates for the nursing staff.

Mr Green said: “Xavi Champion of Right Track Group was pinnacle in this kind donation and unbelievable generosity.

“Jamie Lee-Stiles and Daniel Horn were busy collecting from the community and arranging the delivery on the day. Sam Latter also spent hours collecting gifts and donated all character balloons to all children that were on ward and day centre.”

The Conquest run was arranged by Russ Green from SERV Sussex. SERV chairman Simon Morley was on hand to help out, along with Peter Butler, Darren Ashton (SERV) Taff, Smurf and Dave from The Armed Forces Bikers and Vikkiy Murray representing Bexhill Bikers.

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