A DEDICATED group of bikers are putting their love of the open road to good use by volunteering to help the NHS across the Bay area.

The men behind North West Blood Bikes Lancashire and Lakes were inspired by watching a TV documentary about blood bikers in the UK – and simply decided they would follow in their tyre tracks and help local health services.

These emergency riders will now transport urgently needed blood, blood products, patient records, small items and other medical requirements between hospitals and blood transfusion banks – without charging for the service.

Group chairman Paul Brooks said: “I got involved because I love bike riding and because the NHS needs help, particularly the Morecambe Bay hospitals.

“We are a team of about 130 like-minded bikers giving up our time and money simply because we are passionate about helping the NHS which is paying a fortune for out-of-hours courier services – money that could be better spent on patient care.

“Two hospitals in our area have to spend up to £60,000 per year on courier services, which would pay for two specialist nurses. We do this for free by finding sponsors, seeking donations and simply rattling tins and begging for help.”

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed the partnership, which will operate across hospitals on an out-of-hours basis from 7pm to 6am, Monday to Thursday, and with a complete 24-hour service over the weekend and on bank holidays.

Barry Rigg, of UHMBT, said: “This is such a great opportunity – not only in ensuring that our hospitals receive the supplies they need quickly and reliably, but also in terms of the money we will save. In some cases, out-of-hours transport can cost us between £30 and £70 for a trip.”