Cornwall Blood Bikes epic Charity Gala Evening

Someone once said “Time flies over us, and leaves it’s shadow behind”

On Friday 6thApril 2018 Cornwall Blood Bikes played host to a spectacular fundraising gala evening at The Alverton Hotel, Truro.

As the guests arrived their first image was of on duty advanced fleet bike riders Paul Thomas, and Burt Reynolds on standby location outside the Alverton ready to take a call for the evening before being welcomed by CBB charities hosts Ian Butler Fundraising Manager and Jayne Penlerick CBB PR Media Liaison.

Among the guests present for the evening were representatives from NHS partners across Cornwall, Cornwall Hospice Care, their colleagues from their fellow blood bike group Freewheelers EVS who they liaise closely with to courier urgent time critical sample to specialist laboratories at Filton, Bristol.

Local Cornish businesses Snazzy Balloons, Say It With Lights, DJ In Cornwall and the events team from The Alverton Hotel along with Ian and Jayne had worked tirelessly throughout the day to create a stunning background and atmosphere.

Guests were treated to a truly memorable evening of entertainment from some of the best in the west such as the a capella choir group Oll an Gwella with their fabulous Cornish sounds, people were totally captivated by the magic of Lewis Belcher, whilst enjoying a three course dinner you can enjoy and indulge on Roger Miners event pianist on the baby grand piano. After dinner the grand charity auction took place in the capable hands of Rob North from local Cornish Business Edward Buckland Ltd.

The evening raised a great total of £2,995.00

Jayne Penlerick quoted “CBB were truly honoured to welcome all our guests to the evening, and the support was truly humbling”

“We would like to send a big heartfelt thank you to anyone that supported us in any single way, as we could not have done it without you”

Also present were very special guests in the form of one unique organisation, The Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall Freemasonry is the 2nd largest charity supporting organisation in the United Kingdom after the national lottery.

In 2017 Freemasonry celebrated the iconic 300th birthday since the formation of The United Grand Lodge of England.

Cornwall Blood Bikes were nominated alongside five other deserving Cornish charities and the public of Cornwall got behind us for every mile of our journey.

It was announced in September 2017 that CBB had been awarded the highest grant of £25,000.

With this money for the first time in the charities history we have been able to purchase our very first brand new BMW 1200 RT(p)

A very long way away from the charities humble beginnings that CBB chairman James Forder, and vice chairman Stephan Mellows along with our stalwart founder volunteers were a part of.

That Friday evening was a true celebration of working relationships, and also for two completely separate but very unique organisations that have come together to unite as one and achieved the perfect result.

The charities brand new bike was unveiled and named by The Provincial Grand Master for The Province of Cornwall, Mr Stephen Pearn and the keys handed over to CBB Chairman James Forder in spectacular style under a cloud of exploding balloons, with both representatives from CBB and The Province of Cornwall.

“The Spirit of Cornwall” has been welcomed into our fleet and went operational the very next day to serve the people and communities of Cornwall.

Without the help from The Province of Cornwall none of this would have been possible and it has been a true honour and pleasure to work alongside each other over the last six months.

The biggest heartfelt thank you to The Province, and the public of Cornwall for being beside us for every mile of our journey”.

The photograph features L-R
CBB fleet bike rider Martijn Huddlestone, CBB fleet bike rider Andrew Bellamy, CBB PR Media Liasion Jayne Penlerick, CBB Fleet Manager John Penlerick, CBB Vice Chairman Stephan Mellows, CBB Chairman James Forder, CBB Membership Secretary Brendan Hale, CBB fleet bike rider Tim Cookman, The Provinicial Grand Master Mr Stephen Pearn, The Provincial Grand Charity Steward MR Mike Pritchard, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Mr. Peter Roberts, CBB Fleet bike rider Ian Prout.