A GARAGE owner in the Borders has donated to a Scottish health charity to help them continue raising vital funds.

Shane Black, owner of SAB Auto Services in Kelso, started the new year not only by working to set up his new premises at Pinnaclehill with his son Russell and with Robbie Wallace, but by donating a Mini Moto bike to Blood Bikes Scotland (BBS).

The bike, now affectionately named 'Titch' by BBS, will be used by the charity at its fundraising events throughout the year.

Mr Black said: "The main reason for giving Blood Bikes Scotland the Mini Moto bike is to help raise funds for there cause as a voluntary group.

"The bike is to encourage young kids to their stand at fundraising events with the hope of donations from parents.

"The bike is a Mini Moto small sports bike used in kids' racing.

"I had the bike decaled up to look like a blood bike."

Usually BBS takes some of its full-sized bikes to events – such as gala days, supermarket collections, and festivals – but the mini bikes have proven to be a hit with youngsters and their families.

Sharing the news of Mr Black's donation to social media, a BBS spokesperson said: "When we are out meeting the public we tend to take a full-sized Blood Bike but these smaller machines have proved to be a massive hit with the youngsters who can jump on and dream of being the next Valentino Rossi (or Blood Biker!), whilst their parents dig deep to find a suitable donation."

With his knowledge on the cost to buy and maintain the bikes used by BBS, Mr Black was keen to do something to help the charity keep up its important work with the NHS.

He said: "I am a biker and work in the motor trade.

"I know the cost of keeping their machines on the road, the work they do, and the savings to NHS from their work."

Blood Bikes Scotland works across a number of NHS boards in Scotland – including NHS Borders, NHS Lothian, NHS Forth Valley, and NHS Fife – as well as with the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Flow Centre (an NHS Lothian service).

According to the most recent statistics published by BBS on December 20, in November 2023 BBS covered 41 jobs in the Borders, and across its coverage area it helped to save the NHS £24,111 that month.

With Titch now part of the fleet, the Mini Moto is set to join BBS volunteers at the Scottish Motorbikes Show in Ingliston in March.

For more information on the work done by BBS, as well as details on volunteering or donating, visit: bloodbikesscotland.co.uk