A NEW voluntary service has potentially helped to save the lives of children, adults and pensioners since its launch this summer.

The Tees Valley Blood Bike service has been called into action more than 30 times since the beginning of July, to help deliver emergency supplies to hospitals across Teesside.

A team of stand-by motorcycle riders have transferred blood, diagnostic specimens and diagnostic equipment for use at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, and the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Jon Formstone and Mark Say started looking into how to bring back the emergency blue light service to the area in October 2009, after motorcycling enthusiast Mr Formstone saw a reference to the National Association of Blood Bikes on the internet while looking for parts for his own bike.

He saw that the nearest service was in West Yorkshire, led by a charity called the White Knights, but that there was no service covering Cleveland.

He approached the charity which agreed for them to take the lead to set up a satellite branch in Cleveland under the White Knights’ umbrella.

Mr Formstone said: “We have carried out about 30 trips in just over a month which would have cost the NHS and the taxpayer if the Blood Bikes service wasn’t available, so it shows how important the service is.

“Both myself, Mark and our other supporters are extremely passionate about the Blood Bikes.

"To know that you are potentially saving someone’s life is a fantastic thing. We just want the service to grow and, with support from the public and partners, we truly believe it will.”

The pair, who are also police community support officers (PCSO) in Hartlepool for Cleveland Police, spend a lot of their time raising money to pay for the cost of fuelling the life saving trips.

Mr Say said: “The aim of bringing the Blood Bikes to fruition was to save lives, save money and put something back into local communities.

“Being a PCSO is a worthwhile role in which you work to protect the public and resolve neighbourhood priorities.

“Having a role in the Blood Bikes is an extension of that and is something that I love being involved in.”

Anyone wanting more information can email mark@ bloodrun.co.uk or visit blood run.co.uk