Russ’s Story: From Survivor to Lifesaver

“LIVES is absolutely vital—you never know when you’re going to need their service.” — Russ

Russ, a motorcyclist, family business manager, and blood biker, has a profound connection to LIVES. His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of our life-saving work.

The accident

On a summer’s day in August 1981, Russ was enjoying a ride on his motorbike through Lincoln’s scenic countryside. His day took an unpredicted turn when a bus unexpectedly pulled out in front of him. The collision was severe, leaving Russ with multiple life-threatening injuries. Although he doesn’t remember the crash, he was told that a LIVES doctor was one of the first to respond to his RTC (Road Traffic Collison), providing critical emergency on-scene care.

Russ was rushed to hospital, where he underwent numerous life-saving surgeries and received multiple blood transfusions in order to recover from his injuries. It took a year for him to recuperate – but thankfully he did make a full recovery.

Blood Biking. It’s in his blood

Grateful for the care he received, Russ wanted to give back. Initially, he had aimed to donate blood but was informed he couldn’t due to the blood transfusions he received post-1980. Undeterred, he found another way to show his appreciation.

In 2018, Russ became a blood biker for The Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service (LEBBS). This volunteer service, established in 2012, plays a crucial role in transporting blood, medical specimens, notes, pharmaceutical products, equipment, and donor breast milk between hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Find out more about The Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service (LEBBS).

Making a difference

In 2023 alone, LEBBS covered an incredible 127,433 miles, demonstrating their significant impact on our community. Russ is now a vital part of the team working to make Lincolnshire a safer place. His journey from accident survivor to life-saving volunteer truly is inspirational.

At LIVES we are incredibly proud of Russ and the work he does. His story highlights the critical importance of our services and the difference we make in people’s lives, after all – it takes a team to save a life.

Together, we can keep our responders on the road and our community safe.

Help us continue to provide essential services in our community. Donate to us today and help support our Community First Responders. Your contribution ensures that we can be there when it matters most, saving lives and making a difference.