Blood biker service struggles for key volunteers

A charity that delivers blood using motorcycles has come close to being suspended in the last two months due to a shortage in volunteers.

The Severn Freewheelers charity, a voluntary group that takes blood to hospitals in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, say they need more people to help them by becoming volunteer call handlers.

The bikers also deliver aid like medicine, medical notes and lab samples to the hospitals but have only a handful of people currently taking the calls.

Sally Grainger, a volunteer co-ordinator with the group, said: "We're really desperate - there's been several occasions in the last couple of months where we've almost had to suspend the service."

The freewheelers have about 190 bikers but at the moment only a small number of call handlers.

Some volunteers have relocated to other parts of the country meaning those who remain are having to spend longer periods of time on the phones, staffs say.

Mrs Grainger said the roles would suit people who are retired and who want to make a difference to the NHS.

"We need maybe a dozen extra co-ordinators, just to take the pressure off," she added.

"People can just do an odd night or one night every few weeks - if we've got co-ordinators who can do that it would make a massive difference.

"It's not hard, it's not common sense - it's something everyone can do if, if they feel they are the right person to do it.

"The part I love is talking to people and telling them who we are - they are very appreciative, we just need some extra help."

The charity is entirely funded by donations and works with the NHS to offer an overnight and weekend service, which includes dropping off medication at people's homes.

Her husband Patrick has been a blood biker since 2014 and said he still got a great buzz from it.

"I think over the 11 years I've done 65,000 miles on the blood bike and just under 2,000 jobs," he said.

"I love biking, that was how I got into it.

"Anyone who joins us will be joining a real community - it would be great for their wellbeing."

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