A Newcastle-under-Lyme-based creative marketing agency has raised more than £1,300 for a local charity with an 18-mile walk along the Caldon Canal.
The team from Starbots Creative took on the challenge in aid of Shropshire Staffordshire Cheshire Blood Bikes (SSCBB), a volunteer-run service which transports urgent blood and medical products free to NHS hospitals in the region.
The walk from Froghall Wharf to Etruria raised £1,320 for the charity, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The company chose to support SSCBB as Liz Salmon, mother of company directors Kate and Emma, who previously managed the company’s accounts, volunteers with Blood Bikes in her spare time.
Kate Cooper, Managing Director at Starbots Creative, said: “We felt this was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate SSCBB’s ten-year anniversary while giving back to an organisation mum is so passionate about.
“The walk was definitely challenging, but we were receiving donations right up to the finish line, which really spurred us on. We’re so grateful to all of the clients, partners, family and friends who contributed and sponsored us. It’s such an incredible local service that SSCBB provide.”
The funds raised will support SSCBB’s essential work across Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire, where volunteers transport critical blood products, pathology samples and donated breast milk, free of charge on motorcycles, between hospitals and pathology labs.
The service is funded entirely through donations and helps to reduce costs to the NHS by as much as £300 per round trip.
Helen Bundy, Talks Team Co-ordinator at SSCBB, said: “We’re so grateful for the support of the team at Starbots Creative. The money raised will go a long way to help us keep our blood bikes on the road, contributing to essential items such as fuel, box carriers and bike maintenance.”
