“It took three of us three hours, three cups of tea and one box of chocolate fingers as none of us had done such a job before,” says Bloodrun EVS volunteer Kevin Thornburn.
When this voluntary ‘emergency service’ asked for help to mark up their quad bikes, Barnard Castle based sign and graphics specialist William Smith rose to the occasion.
Bloodrun EVS describes itself as the North East’s ‘newest emergency service’. Their team of volunteer motorcycle riders despatch blood and other small life-saving items, such as X-rays and test results, out of hours for the NHS in the North East.
Bloodrun’s Rob Adams explains: “We need to service health centres etc. in remote locations and, having researched various types of motorbikes, decided that quad bikes would be most suitable in order to operate the service during the winter and in poor conditions. With funding from National Lottery Big Lottery Fund we were able to purchase two 500cc vehicles.
“We needed to make these distinctive in appearance for visibility and rider safety, and to reassure members of the public that they are operating legitimately. It also helps to give the service exposure and raises the profile.”
One of the volunteer riders previously had a relationship with William Smith and, having researched available materials contacted, them for advice. 3M Fluorescent film in Yellow and Red/Orange was recommended as it is durable as well as giving high visibility.
Bloodrun was supplied with clear film to stick onto the bikes and mark with permanent marker to create a template from which William Smith produced the chequer kits. The three volunteer riders then applied them to the bikes.
“On a flat surface it was no problem and the front bumper was easy; the petrol tank was the hardest to do. It slightly depended on the surface,” says Kevin Thornburn. “We think the finished job looks great and they certainly stand out – which was the point of them.”
“William Smith’s staff was very helpful both on the phone and at their Barnard Castle site, and e-mailed good photographs to help us understand what we needed to do.”
For further information about 3M Fluorescent film contact Chris Bradley at:
WILLIAM SMITH
Grove Works, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8JG
Telephone: 01833 694707 Free Fax: 0800 783 4829
E-mail: info@williamsmith.co.uk Website: www.williamsmith.co.uk
