November 2024

18 Buckden Roundabout November 2024 Village News W.I. At our October Meeting we had a talk enti- tled Blood Runners by John Gibson. It was an inspiring talk which turned out to be amusing and informative, aided by slides. John told us that SERV (Service by Emer- gency Response Volunteers), better known as Blood Runners was established in 1981 and Cambridgeshire started in 2010. SERV provides an essential Service to our Local NHS Hospitals, Air Ambulance Services, hospices, pharmacies and vulnerable patients by transporting urgently needed blood, blood prod- ucts, patient samples, donated human breast milk, medicine and medical equipment. In 2012 John told us that they launched the Donor Baby Milk Service used to support premature babies in the maternity units in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and when requested throughout the UK. During Covid it was a very busy time for the Blood Runners, transporting PPE, very urgent supplies of blood and medications. The demands for the service increased by 60%. Also, a change from an out of hours Service to 24/7. On occasions they will take medication to patients. John told us how the system works; Hospitals will ring a num- ber to a SERV Controller and say what is needed e.g. blood to transport, or medication, etc. Then the SERV controller will organise the volunteers and there may be a need to take the blood to another Blood Runner who will then transport it fur- ther, as the Blood Runners tend to travel about 50 miles a time. Blood Runners can be called at any time day or night. Blood Runners mainly use their own vehicles free of charge, usually motor bikes and sometimes their cars, pay for the fuel. They will deliver items to where they are needed to be within hours. SERV receives no government funding and there are no paid staff. Mobile phones and hand - held devices can be do- nated to SERV, as this can help with fund raising. They were humbled and delighted to be awarded the Queen ’ s Award for Voluntary Service, which is equivalent of an MBE. John gave an insight and a very good knowledgeable talk, about Blood Runners. This talk is recommended to other W.I.s. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 5th November at 7:30pm in the Millard Suite and it will be “ Spies at Farm Hall, Godman- chester. ” We warmly welcome new members and visitors so if you would like more information please contact: Emma Spencer 07960 018412 Gill Baker 07905 214336 Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Appeal, 2024. This is now a Buckden Community event with different organi- sations taking part. Buckden Methodist Church being the cen- tre of it, as it is now a registered drop off centre for shoeboxes and has been recognised as a Church Collection Centre. Buckden Methodist Church will be OPEN with refreshments on Mondays 11 th and 18 th November also Friday 15th November, between 2pm and 4:30pm to drop off completed shoeboxes, empty shoeboxes, donations of items or money. The shoe- boxes will be collected and started on their journey after 21st November. Thank you very much to those who have already donated items, boxes and money and those who are busy knitting and sewing. It is very much appreciated. Operation Christmas Child is a worthwhile charity making a difference at Christmas, by giving shoe boxes containing small gifts to children in poor countries. If you would like more information, then please contact Carol Swepstone 810053 Thank you. Local author Jon Magee, who is the Baptist Minister at Perry since 2019, has published his third book. The book is called “ Confessions of a Baptist Minis- ter ”. In March 2024 the author celebrated 41 years of full time ministry and decided that this was the time to record some of the experiences of Ministry. Da- vid Kinder, former Lead Chaplain at Littlehey prison, wrote the foreword and says "Firstly, this book is like a string of pearls. Jon is the cord that joins them all together, each pearl is a person. Some of these people were on their own journey and crossed Jon ’ s path, others were people like Baden Powell who influ- enced Jon ’ s approach to that journey. Secondly, it is confes- sional in the way it is delivered. Jon is very honest, conveying to the reader his deepest thoughts and emotions, including acknowledging his own mistakes or errors of judgement. The stories within are humorous, heart breaking, inspirational, unique and totally human. Faith in Jesus is the golden thread running through each chapter." Rev David Williams in Birmingham adds “ I bought the kindle version. As well as lots of personal story there is a wealth of experience and practical advice. ” The authors first book, “ From Barren Rocks to Living Stones ”, details a teenagers experience in Aden (now part of Yemen) in 1966/67 during extreme terrorism and the British evacuation. The second book, “ Paradise Island, Heavenly Journey ”, records experiences in Singapore at the latter time of British colonial- ism. The author is the father of 3 daughters and 2 sons and has 8 grandchildren. He currently is ministering in Cambridgeshire, England. For further details the author can be contacted by phone at 01480 700810 or by email at perrybaptistpastor@gmail.com