A volunteer group providing a lifesaving motorcycle transport service to the NHS is calling for more riders to come forward.

Devon Freewheelers EVS, also known as the blood bikes, provides a free out of hours courier service to the NHS across Devon.

The blood bikes carry blood and other samples, emergency or urgent medication and medical equipment, tissue for cross matching before transplant operations and donor breast milk for premature babies. The service is operated mainly on motorbikes, ridden by volunteers.

It operates between 5pm and 7am on weekdays, and is 24 hour at weekends and on bank holidays.

Despite providing this service to the NHS, Devon Freewheelers receives no funding from the NHS whatsoever. It relies solely on volunteer fundraising, the public’s generosity, and community groups and local companies choosing Devon Freewheelers as their charity of the year to be able to continue to provide the service.

Devon Freewheelers is looking to recruit new volunteers in the South Hams and Plymouth. The charity is looking for people to fulfil the role of fundraisers, riders and call handlers.

If you think you can give some of your time, please visit the website at www.bloodbikesdevon.org.uk or call 0300 800 0105 for more information.