Who We Are
South West Blood Bikes (SWBB) is a volunteer-led organisation that offers a free, out-of-hours emergency transportation service to the NHS, Hospices & some GP surgeries throughout Devon. Founded in Plymouth in 2018, SWBB has since grown to serve the entire county, with volunteer bases strategically placed across the county to support major hospitals as well as local hospitals and hospices.
How We Support The NHS & Hospices In Devon
SWBB’s volunteers transport a range of vital items, including whole blood, pathology and microbiology samples, donor breast milk, medical records, X-rays, medical equipment, patient notes, medications, and essentially any urgently needed medical supplies that can safely be carried on a motorcycle. For items that require more space or during unsafe weather conditions, SWBB also deploys blood cars to ensure secure and timely deliveries.
The service operates from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and provides 24-hour coverage over weekends and public holidays. Recently, SWBB has also introduced a weekday daytime service to support Exeter’s main hospital with the transport of time specific lifesaving stem cell samples.
Why We Need Your Support
No payment is received from the NHS & Hospices for this service. Entirely funded by donations, SWBB relies on support from the public, community organisations, grants, local businesses, and volunteer-led fundraising efforts to continue its charitable work. Throughout the winter months volunteer fundraising is less than in the warmer summer months, donations to this campaign will help bring in income to replace income not coming in from fundraising events.
Our Costs
Our fuel bill alone is now between £1500 -£1900 a month and we are replacing the tyres on the Blood Bikes on a more regular basis as the number of miles we cover grows, with each set costing between £350-£400.
South West Blood Bikes has no paid staff, the entire charity is operated and run by volunteers. Every penny donated by you to this campaign, will be used to provide our Free Blood Bike Service.
Thank you for your support, every penny really does count!
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