Couple’s bike ride to retrace baby blood route

Max Haines was born three weeks premature by an emergency Caesarean section on December 29 last year, with Haemolytic disease of the newborn, a potentially-life threatening condition.

Donated blood needed for a transfusion to treat him was sent from Bristol to Redditch on emergency dispatch.

Now, Veronica and Steve Haines, from Redditch, will be embarking on a ride from Filton Blood Bank in Bristol to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, where Max was treated, to raise money for the group who made the journey.

Mrs Haines, who had to spend Christmas and New Year between the Alexandra Hospital and Worcestershire Royal Hospital with her family, said the initial problems were heartbreaking.

“You never think of going into hospital to have a baby and him being taken away for special care,” she said.

“If it wasn’t for the fact that the blood was delivered, Max wouldn’t be here today.”

The Severn Freewheelers, the regional branch of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, cover Hereford-shire, Worcestershire, Glouc-estershire and North Wilt-shire – and provided the speedy delivery of blood for Max.

“Max was born at 7pm and the blood was there for the transfusion operation six hours later,” Mrs Haines said.

“If it wasn’t for people like them, and the paediatrician who came in at 4am, Max’s blood wouldn’t have got here in time.

“He looks like a beautiful healthy eight-month-old but the problems with the anti-bodies in his blood have slowed down his development.”

There are eight people in total taking part in the ride, including one of the volunteer members of Freewheel-ers, who will lead the team on the motorbike he uses for his vital deliveries.

The couple have raised £2,000 so far and are hoping for more donations.

To sponsor Mr and Mrs Haines on the bike ride visit justgiving.com/milesformax. For more information about Blood Bikes, and how you can get involved with the charity, visit severnfreewheelers.co.uk.