Yorkshire Widows Sons ride in to hear about Lincolnshire Blood Bikers’ work
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Already committed to support volunteer blood bikers in their own Province, Widows Sons Freemasons from Yorkshire North and East Riding have heard about similar efforts in Lincolnshire.
The travelling Yorkshire Lodge came to Louth for its latest meeting, arranged by member Tim Higham Jones, who’s also a member of Lindsey Lodge, and by dispensation of our own PGM Dave Wheeler.
After the meeting they heard a talk by Rich Harrison of St Peter Lodge in Cleethorpes, who also volunteers with Lincolnshire’s Blood Bike service.
A volunteer only since December, Rich has done fundraising work to cover the costs of the service – fuel alone costs £4,000 every month to keep the fleet of 14 motorbikes, four cars, and a van on the road.
Rich said the Blood Biker’s precious cargoes could be blood, but weren’t restricted to that – they could just as easily be carrying breast milk or important samples. The bikers work in tandem with the Air Ambulance, taking fresh supplies of blood to the airborne emergency service daily at 5am.
Rich added: “Like the Air Ambulance, the service we provide is entirely without central financial support. We rely on donations to keep the service going.” To make a donation to the Lincolnshire Blood Bikers, click this link.
The Widows Sons Lodge 10011 is a travelling Lodge with members who enjoy their motorcycling based in the Province of Yorkshire North and East Ridings.
Lodge members and visitors generally ride to attend the meetings. Nationally the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association has 1,200 members, bolstered by and 500 Corner Stones – associate members who are not necessarily Freemasons, and some of whom are women.
Lincolnshire has its own Widows Sons Chapter with 14 members, who ride under the name of The Lincs Imps – though that shouldn’t be confused with the Royal Arch, of which it’s not part.
Widows Sons meetings are usually held on Saturdays as part of a weekend involving family members and Corner Stones. During the summer members often book into a camp site near to the Masonic centre and barbecue on the Saturday after the lodge meeting.
The Lincs Imps can be found on Facebook.
• To arrange a Blood Bikes talk for your Lodge, tpop an email to fundraising@lebbs.org
