Bugler Coaches of Bristol decided last year to become overall sponsors of a new charity to buy
equipment for the Bristol Heart Institute (BHI) where patients from all over the West Country are treated when they need open heart surgery. It is a Centre of Excellence for Heart Surgery and doctors there had told us there was equipment available which could save lives, but which the NHS couldn't currently afford to supply.
After I suffered a heart attack in 2017, which required me to have a triple coronary artery bypass graft, I decided to help get some of this equipment into the hospital.
February's Big Hearted Valentine's Ball in Bath raised enough money to enable the charity to present the doctors and clinical staff with a new video fibre optic intubating laryngoscope.
I invited local coach and bus operators and industry professionals to support the charity and the support we have had from the industry has been tremendous and speaks volumes for the
kind and caring companies that serve passengers on a daily basis.
The charity is now organising a Big Hearted Bike Day at the 'Off Road' Odd Down Cycle Track Circuit in Bath for 29 September, again to raise funds for more equipment as requested by the staff at the BHI.
I welcome other coach operators to become sponsors of the Big Hearted Charity; there is room for everyone on our roads and as a sport. If we can support safe cycling and raise money for the BHI then everyone wins.
None of us know when we or one of our loved ones may need emergency treatment for a heart condition and having this extra equipment available will save lives.
You can see more about the bike day at: www.bigheartedbikeday.co.uk
- Gerald Creed, Director, Bugler Coaches
