Honda chooses SERV as its nominated charity

Honda (UK) is delighted to announce the acclaimed ‘blood runners’ charity, SERV (Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers), has been nominated by staff as the company’s supported charity for the year.

SERV, a member of NABB (Nationwide Association of Blood Bikers), is a charity that transports blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines and other urgently required medical items to hospitals completely free of charge. It is run by dedicated volunteers who receive no financial compensation for their time or costs, allowing the NHS to divert funds to where they are needed most.

Having formed in 1981 so celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, SERV is now seeking to expand. This will enable them to provide a more comprehensive service within their current fourteen operating areas across the South East – which respond to over 5000 emergency calls annually across the region - as well as grow the national coverage of this vital service through setting up new SERV branches, as well as working in partnership with other ‘blood runner’ organisations across the UK.

Honda (UK)’s support includes a financial donation as well as ongoing fundraising activities being organised internally with Honda employees undertaking their own initiatives which are fund-matched by Honda (UK). SERV will be promoting Honda and its products to its dedicated and loyal two-wheel volunteers, whilst also benefitting from increased exposure and awareness by the charity being showcased at a number of Honda’s activities in the coming months, including a presence on Honda’s stand at the forthcoming Motorcycle Live event at the NEC from 19-27 November.

The association with SERV is also timely, as it coincides with the recent launch of the latest mini-film in Honda’s Channel 4 documentary sponsorship ‘idents’ running until the end of October, now focusing on one SERV volunteer, Roger, who delivers vital blood supplies to hospitals in his local area.

This mini-documentary is the third in a series of short feature films which explore and celebrate real-life people who use their Honda motorbikes, cars, ATVs, lawn mowers, generators and marine engines in unusual and extraordinary ways. The first featured Philippa, an alpaca breeder in Oxfordshire, who tends to the animals on her farm using her trusty Honda ATV. The second starred Ben, a night fisherman from Brixham Harbour in Devon who takes his boat, powered by two Honda BF135 marine engines, out at night to catch fish in the dark.

This latest short film features a gentleman called Roger who volunteers for SERV with his trusty ST1300 Pan European motorcycle. Roger voluntarily dedicates his evenings to transporting blood from central blood banks to hospitals across his local area in the home counties on his beloved Pan-European. He has ridden Hondas since he was 16 years old and he now relies on his Pan-European to regularly ride 100 mile journeys in the middle of the night. To view the full two-minute version of the mini-documentary visit www.honda.co.uk/bloodbike.

Tim Goodman, Chairman of SERV, commented, “We have some great Honda motorcycles on the SERV fleet and it is also the most popular choice of bike manufacturer amongst our volunteer blood runners who use their own machines as well – they have time and again proved to be an ideal equipment partner. We are absolutely delighted that Honda’s staff have chosen SERV as their nominated charity. We believe the opportunity of a partnership with the Honda brand will provide enhanced recognition for SERV, and encourage a better public understanding of the ways in which socially caring businesses and not for profit organisations can work together to benefit the community at large.”

Steve Martindale, Honda (UK) Motorcycles General Manager said, “SERV is a highly regarded charitable organisation and the work they do, coupled with the dedication and passion of their volunteer riders, is truly humbling and worthy of total support. There were a number of motorcycling related charities we identified but our staff voted unanimously to support SERV, mainly because it is a service which can potentially benefit everyone and anyone, and not just those within the motorcycling industry or community, and Honda and two-wheels being ‘out there’ in local communities is something we all at Honda feel strongly about.”

To find out more about SERV and how you could get involved, support or donate, visit www.serv.org,uk or Twitter @SERV_Bloodbikes. For further information about Honda’s great range of motorcycles, cars and power equipment, visit your local Honda dealer, go to honda.co.uk, call 0845 200 8000 Facebook Honda UK Motorcycles or Twitter @HondaUKBikes.


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