Thanks to the on going and fabulous support from Vauxhall and it’s employees the SOS Bus Luton is now £1,026.14 better off! The workers from Griffin House in Luton headed down to Namco in the Galaxy for a night of competetitive bowling all in aid of The SOS Bus. Cherie Denton, Community Relations officer at Vauxhall organised the night along with a raffle for the staff.
SOS Bus volunteer Bish Shaha with the Vauxhall employees.
Here are the lucky winners of The SOS Bus birthday raffle:
Kirsty Outlaw – won the Chicago’s 10 person V.I.P Party package!
Gemma – won the two V.I.P Flame wristbands (free entry and free drinks)
Mark Whitcroft – won the two tickets to a LTFC home game
Sana – won the £25 Mall voucher
Shabena Abbas – won the meal for 2 at G Casino with a bottle of wine
Angela Bartalis – won the bottle of Moet Champagne
We would like to thank everyone who bought a ticket, the money will go towards keeping the SOS Bus fleet on the road and saving lives! We would also like to say a huge thanks to all the raffle prize donators.
The SOS Bus Luton celebrated it’s first birthday last week with an event on St George’s Square, Luton. Friends from NHS C-sure team, Luton Drug & Alcohol Services, Beds Fire & Rescue, Luton Town FC, Uni Of Bedfordshire all joined in to wish the Bus a Happy Birthday!
Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue showing their support at SOS Bus Birthday event.
The SOS Bus team were delighted with a special visit from Chief Constable Alfred Hitchcock who praised the work of it’s volunteers and thanked them for their hard work in the Night Time Economy.
SOS Bus co-ordinator Carly Stokes & Mr Alfred Hitchcock cutting The SOS Bus Birthday cake!
SOS Bus Birthday raffle will be drawn on Thursday 31st March – winners will be contacted individually and announced here and on our facebook page.
Tickets are still available from Carly 01582 480770 and on the Bus in St Georges Square Fri 9am – 10am, 9pm – 4am and again Saturday night.
Prizes ……..
On Thursday 17th March 2011 the SOS Bus Luton will have been running for a whole year. To celebrate the past year of achievements we will be holding an event in St Georges Square, Luton from 10am onwards. Come join us in celebrating!!!
The SOS Bus team were delighted to receive 2 awards at Octobers Community Awards held at Venue Central this year. We walked away with the Working in Partnership Award and the Building Stronger Communities Award, a great night was had by all.
This Friday 17th September is the 6 month anniversary of Lutons SOS Bus Debut. Since starting way back in March the SOS Bus and it’s team of volunteers has experienced great success, including a Pride in Luton and South Beds Award and a recognition award by Bedfordshire Police.
Most importantly though the SOS bus has helped an amazing number of people all in just 2 nights per week.
To Date the SOS bus has had 289 visitors
Has treated 194 of them with First Aid
Preventing 120 ambulances from being called out
Graeme Tolliday, General Manager of the East of England Ambulance Service in South Bedfordshire had this to say:
“Friday and Saturday nights are particularly busy times for our crews. The work of the staff on the SOS bus has meant we have had more ambulances available to deal with the victims of heart attack, stroke and many other serious conditions.
“There is also a huge financial benefit to our service because of the volunteers. However, the most important fact is we are freed up to save more lives – and who knows just how many we have saved as a result of the SOS bus?”
The volunteers of the Luton SOS Bus are extending an invitation to the media to visit them this Friday evening/night at any time between 9.00pm and 4.00am Saturday, to take a look at this fabulous facility.
And their message – “Please help us to help the people of Luton…”
(Image front row L- R) Robbie Dunsby, Chief Supt Colbourne, Mohammed Azada and Ade Ige
SOS Bus volunteer Mohammed Azad recieving his Bravery Award from Chief Supt Colbourne – Well done !
Chief Superintendent Mike Colbourne of Bedfordshire Police presented three brave members of the public with Commendations today for their bravery and community spirit. We are extremely proud to say that one of these men, Mohammed Azad, is a vibrant and hard working volunteer for the SOS Bus Luton!
At 0050 on Saturday 5 June 2010, eleven people were involved in a large fight that broke out in Manchester Street, which is in the centre of Luton’s busy night time economy. At that time of night the town was busy with people visiting pubs and clubs.
Ade Ige and Robbie Dunsby, two taxi marshals who were working nearby, together with SOS Bus volunteer, Mohammed Azad, immediately tried to calm the situation. Police were called but were unable to attend immediately.
Until officers arrived, Ade, Robbie and Mohammed tried to separate two very violent groups. One man produced a hammer and began threatening other people, striking another man in the face. Despite being very aware of the weapon being used, Ade, Robbie and Mohammed continued to work at calming the situation and split up the groups in the hope of preventing others from becoming injured.
When police arrived, the man with the hammer made off with Ade and Robbie discretely following him, watching where he hid the weapon. They passed this information to police officers and the man, together with two others, was later arrested.
Due to their courageous actions and support they have given the police one man has been charged with affray and another charged with affray and possession of a deadly weapon.
From all the SOS Bus team we would like to say congratulations! PHOTOS TO FOLLOW!
Mohammed Azad
With thanks to Yates Luton for having two SOS Bus Charity boxes on their bar – this last month they have collected a massive £28.92! This money will be a massive help to the project, hopefully there will be more to come!