THE wish of a dying man from Bala who brought a crucial blood transportation service to North Wales has been fulfilled.

Blood Bikes Wales (BBW), the charity that helps the NHS with blood transportation across Wales has received a new motorcycle that will ensure its North Wales service to Maelor Hospital, Glan Clwyd and Ysbyty Gwynedd just three years after it became active.

BBW's presence in the region was only made possible through the work of Lloyd Jones, who died from cancer in March after being diagnosed 30 years ago.

Mr Jones had been with BBW for two and a half years as a rider and donor of two bikes through a living will when his cancer worsened. The new bike has been named Lloyd in his honour.

Emma Lampka, chair of BBW, said: “Lloyd was a survivor, no matter what challenge life threw at him. He was a big support in getting the final piece of the jigsaw of Blood Bikes Wales covering the whole of North Wales, and it was Lloyd's dream come true when we finally went live there.

As Mr Jones' cancer progressed he contacted Ms Lampka. She said: “Near the end of his life Lloyd rang me and said: 'I'm dying and I want to leave some money to buy a new bike for North Wales’. He was often matter of fact but that’s one of his great qualities.

“I suggested he think about a living will so he could see his dream come true. He agreed and insisted on spending a little extra to buy two bikes to cover the whole of North Wales.

“I was gobsmacked, it was so truly generous. I tried talking him out of it but there was no changing his mind."

The two motorcycles were named Gip, after his wife, and Ellsa, his favourite dog.

They enabled the establishment of BBW North West which extended the service to Bangor.

Following Mr Jones' death, a new motorcycle, named 'Lloyd', has now been donated to BBW Wrexham by the North Wales Freemasons (NWF).

The handing-over ceremony at Maesgwyn Hall, Wrexham on Saturday, July 21 was attended by the mayor of Wrexham, Emma Lampka, chair of BBW, and David Thomas, chairman of the North Wales Freemasons.

David Thomas, chairman of the NWF, said: “It is a privilege to present this new bike to Blood Bikes Wales. This is an amazing charity surrounded by incredible volunteers who can truly say their actions are lifesaving."

Dilwyn Morgan, Bala county councillor, said: “Blood is always required and the bikers do a fantastic job at ensuring there is an adequate supply. I have huge appreciation for what Lloyd Jones has done to help the service.

“The NHS needs help and the more partnerships it has the better.”

Chris Jones, area rep for BBW’s Wrexham branch, said: “Lloyd was one hell of a man. He was someone to look up to, an exceptional rider and absolute gentleman.

“Even up to the end when his health worsened he would still call to see if we were short on riders.

“He did not have a funeral but instead donated his body to Cancer Research – that says everything about the kind of man he was.”