Public appeal reunites Blood Bikes charity with stolen BMW just one day after it is taken
A stolen blood bike has been recovered in just one day after a public appeal by SERV OBN Blood Bikes.
The charity transports medical supplies and blood free of charge to support the NHS across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Northamptonshire.
The group reported the theft of the BMW R1250RT, named ‘Margo McCaffery,’ on February 19 via Facebook – with the post going on to receive 1.3 million views and over 13,000 shares.
They later announced the bike had been located the following day “as a direct result of public help.”
“It’s a known crowd who took it,” Guy Lipscomb, operations manager at the charity, told MCN.
“We’ve got it back, and they’re not selling it. That’s probably the best way we can look at it.
“They cut through the main wiring to stop the alarm, the rear subframe is been broken where they tried to lever off the panniers, and the steering lock’s gone too. The damage is extensive, and it’s going to take a while to get fixed – if it doesn’t get written off.
“Because it is very identifiable, we had multiple calls reporting its location when it was being moved.
“Our rider, being so incensed with the fact it had been taken from his driveway, went to search the area and was able to find it.
“As he was moving it into a warehouse that a local business had kindly offered as a safe place, they [the alleged thieves] turned up to come and get it. Luckily, enough members of the public were around to dissuade them.”
This represents the second theft attempt the charity has experienced, with a previous machine having its steering lock broken, causing around £1,400 worth of damage.
The BMW is set to undergo a full assessment to determine damages on February 25.
Find out more about the charity’s work at their website.
