Blood Bikes are groups of volunteer motorcyclists who provide an out-of-hours medical essentials courier service to hospitals and other health institutions within their area. The volunteers deliver everything from whole blood to biological samples, medical notes, X-rays, scans and human milk for very premature babies. Blood Bikes groups pride themselves on their availability, between 7pm and 7am, 24 hours at weekends and during all public holidays. The service is offered free of charge to the NHS and all members are unpaid volunteers.
There are 18 regional groups covering 95 per cent of the UK and Ireland. This year, thanks partly to the publicity gained when Blood Bikes was featured on the Channel 5 series Emergency Bikers, new groups were formed and coverage was extended to include Wales, Lincolnshire, Warwickshire, Scotland, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Adam Roy, an HGV driver from the West Midlands, is a member of the Severn Freewheelers group. In 2012, this group received more than 4,000 call outs and between them the 60 volunteers covered in excess of 150,000 miles. In June 2008, the Bristol group was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award that can be given to a voluntary group and equivalent in status to an MBE.
Blood Bikes groups are always seeking new volunteers and several stepped forward when the association had a stand at this year’s Motorcycle Live show at the NEC, Birmingham, recently. As a result, an even wider geographical area will be covered in 2013, extending coverage to more than 46 million people.
Lex Woolford, a retired police officer from Worcester, cites additional reasons for volunteering for Blood Bikes. He says: “It’s a respected local charity organisation with a national remit, administered and delivered by volunteers using professional protocols. I haven’t got spare cash to donate, but I can give my time and riding skills. I like to think that what we do can make a difference to someone. It makes you feel good.”
While volunteer riders are always welcome, groups also need dispatchers and general help. The regional groups’ and Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes (NABB) are registered charities and rely on donations to keep up their good work. People can help with fund raising or by organising a sponsored event. Not to be missed is the Prescott Bike Festival on 7 April 2013 – a fantastic day out for all the family, with all proceeds donated to Blood Bikes charities. As well as many famous riders, classic and racing bikes, demonstrations, passenger experiences, fun events and live entertainment, the festival will include more than 100 trade stands – all taking place at the famous Prescott Hill Climb track near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. More information at: http://www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk
The final word goes to Carl Pearce, a 33-year-old IT analyst from Milton Keynes: “I will be riding over New Year and giving up a weekend a month in 2013 as well as fund raising. Having a pacemaker I’ve taken a lot from the NHS and would like to give something back and help out the hospitals the best I can. Hopefully, our service can save a life and if I only help to save one person then all the fund raising and days I have given up to be on duty will be well worth it.”