North West Blood Bikes

Had to publish this letter from our Fylde Area Manager:

A massive thanks to Andy Fox, Stuart Bence, Frank Murphy, Mike Twistleton, Patrick Cuddihy, Pete Saunders from Fylde; Eddie Kirkpatrick and Mark Cooper from West; Nigel Bunney, Rob Newsham & Frank Fitzgerald from Central for supporting the fund raising over this weekend at StAnnes Kite Festival. A special thanks to Bob Chesters and Lee Townsend for arranging and supporting the event and to Matt Reissiger for his mission of mercy bringing over much-needed leaflets on the scorching hot Saturday (we needed something to fan ourselves with and he was on duty). Denise and her family traipsed over in Morticia to re-supply us on the Sunday with sweets to sell and leaflets and stickers to distribute. She even managed to attain a certificate for that scary monkey thing which completed a parachute drop from a kite (I was secretly hoping for a favourable wind to transport it back from whence it came (surely must be West Lancs – it has that look about it!)) Many, many thanks Denise, for supporting us. I think having the car on show surprised a few of the visitors to our stall. And finally, thanks to those of you – and there were quite a few, who popped in on passing to see how we were getting on – you provided us a sanity check through the day.

Nobody could fault the hospitality provided by Bob and his good lady wife Jeanette for they dished up tea and coffee all day and then delighted the crew with bacon and egg butties cooked on-site at lunch times! Fantastic service – and thanks again for that. In fact, it is reported that the café’s takings doubled shortly after the aroma of cooking bacon started wafting around the car park. Bob and Jeanette were on-site both days from start to end – a tremendous effort in the blistering heat. The craic was great and I think the public (especially the kiddies) appreciated us and our display of bikes. However, there was a sigh of relief from almost all the shop and stall owners when they realised on Sunday that that bloomin’ bike with the flippin’ loud siren wasn’t on site!!! (It supported the Blue Light Training event that happened on Sunday) However, there were many disappointed kids who were hoping to play policeman on the bike. The kites flying on the beach were something to behold and we really lucked out with the weather. In fact the minute I sat on the Blood Bike to take it back to its stables on Sunday evening was the first spots of rain we had through the entire event. (By the way, it then rained continuously until I got home and put my own bike back in the garage – typical!)

And now the important bit. We managed between us to collect a very handsome £460:91! Pretty remarkable when you think of the ice-creams and fizzy pop (and foot long chocolate éclairs) the public could’ve spent their hard-earned on with all that hot weather! Well done to all – now it’s back to work for a well-earned rest….

Now, it’s been a very long weekend – all about Blood Bikes, so I may have forgotten one or two of you who pitched in over the weekend. Please don’t think badly of me – I mean well, it’s my memory that lets the side down. So my apologies if I forgot anyone, it certainly isn’t intentional.

Finally – there’s a caption competition – no prize I’m afraid, but just for fun – see attached (sorry Jeanette, I hope you share the humour ). Let’s have ‘em – but keep ‘em clean!! I’ve already got: ‘Once Jeanette was safely placed on a stand to prevent her rolling away, Andy entertained her with his rendition of Riverdance’ – keep on smiling!