Cathal urges public to support #ONEFORHINDS campaign

North west 200 Chief Mrshall Cathal Cunning donates #oneforhinds at a donation session held in Portstewart Town Hall

out in numbers to give blood and in doing so honour the memory of the late Dr. John Hinds.

Dr John was tragically killed at the Skerries road races at the start of July.

The campaign, #oneforhinds, has been backed by many high profile riders including Guy Martin and local man Cathal Cunning is also calling for the public get behind it and to support the blood donation service.

“Although there has been a great deal of publicity about the petition for the Air Ambulance, it will be three to five years before the infra structure required for that can be put in place,” explained Cathal, Chief Marshall for the North West 200.

“At Dr. John’s funeral, Dr. Fred McSorley delivered a eulogy and he called for the public to donate blood rather than money at this stage. Blood supplies dwindle during the summer months because fewer people donate and it is required to save lives on a daily basis.

“The MCUI Medical team have a facebook page where you can post an selfie of your donation and if you donate three pints over a period you will received a special commemorative badge.

“I am trying to push the #oneforhinds campaign locally. I’m one of 800 volunteers involved in the North West 200 and I knew Dr. John personally through it and also the Armoy and Cookstown races. He did so much good work not just in road racing. He was an anaethatist at Craigavon and would also have been on call dealing with road traffic accidents etc so he was always keen to promote the blood donation services.

“It only takes 15 or 20 minutes of your time to donate and you are doing something really good at the same time. None of us know when we might need to receive a blood donation so check out where your local sessions are and donate one for Hinds.”

Dr Nigel Ruddell of the MCUI Medical Team said: “We have been overwhelmed with the public support for doing something positive in the wake of John’s loss and right now, donating blood is a very personal and appropriate way for anyone to continue his good work.

The local sessions are in the Baptist Hall, Abbey street Coleraine on 24th and 25th August; Kilrea Town Hall on 28th August; St. Mary’s Church, Garvagh on 4th September and Holmes Memorial Hall, Ballymoney on 21st and 22nd September.Check out www.nibts.org for more information or go to www.hems4ni.com.