'Blood bikes' hit the road

A group of motorcycling volunteers from Gloucestershire have set-up a biking emergency service to make quick life-saving deliveries after hours, at weekends and on public holidays.

The Severn Freewheelers EVS team took delivery of their first bike this week, a Pan European ST1300.

All the riders hold advanced motorcycling qualifications from RoSPA or the IAM and are trained in Emergency Response.

Gordon Downie, a spokesman for Seven Freewheelers said, “The most frequent way that hospitals, doctors and other medical organisations transport emergency blood or other supplies out of hours, at weekends and during public holidays are by taxis or couriers which are expensive.

“We are often referred to as ‘blood bikes’. But using our specially adapted motorcycles we help local Health Authorities by providing fast, safe and efficient transport at night between hospitals, nursing homes and other NHS facilities throughout the region.”

Severn Freewheelers hope to have four bikes by the end of the year, and for more information contact 07005-968687 or go to www.severnfreewheelers.co.uk.