A GROUP of motorbike riders are dedicating their free time to transport transfusion blood to North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust from across the UK.

Bloodrun EVS (Emergency Voluntary Service) is a charity that provides a free, voluntary blood courier service to NHS hospitals and Trusts across the North East.

The bikers have a close-knit relationship with the pathology laboratory at the Trust and work around the clock to deliver transfusion blood and blood samples across the country to the Trust’s hospitals. The service works as an alternative to using taxis – an added cost to the NHS.

Margaret Finegan, 74, is a voluntary duty controller for Bloodrun. She works as a link between the riders and the Trust’s pathology department.

Margaret said: “We all do it for the same reason – to try and save the NHS money.”

At the moment transfusion blood can only be transported in a car while motorbikes carry blood samples and other necessities such as breastmilk and doctors notes. But the charity is working closely with the Trust to give the bikes validation to be able to carry blood products.