Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes Secures £1,500 Donation to Sustain Critical Medical Deliveries
A crucial volunteer charity dedicated to transporting urgent medical supplies across Nottinghamshire has received a significant financial boost to ensure its operations continue uninterrupted. Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes has been handed a £1,500 donation from housebuilders Barratt and David Wilson Homes, aimed at covering essential maintenance and fuel costs for its fleet of motorcycles.
Enhancing Patient Care Through Rapid Transport
Since its inception, the team has completed more than 48,000 tasks, providing a free service that has saved the local NHS an impressive £1.2 million. By swiftly moving items between hospitals, the volunteers play an indispensable role in accelerating patient diagnosis and treatment times, directly impacting healthcare outcomes.
Every day, the charity manages between 15 and 20 urgent requests, which can include:
- Blood products and plasma
- Surgical equipment and medication
- Medical files and patient samples
- Platelets for emergencies like road traffic accidents
This latest donation is expected to fuel the entire fleet of 17 vehicles for a full month of life-saving operations, highlighting the tangible impact of community support.
Remarkable Efficiency and NHS Savings
In 2025 alone, the charity's 161 dedicated volunteers transported over 90,000 items and completed more than 5,000 individual jobs. These efforts saved the health service an estimated £141,435 in just one year by replacing expensive commercial courier services.
John McFadden, chairman at Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes, emphasised the scale of their contribution: “Each day we complete between 15 to 20 jobs for the NHS, so that multiplied across a month is not only a lot of blood moved, but a lot of money saved for the NHS.” He described the donation as providing an “astounding” level of support for their ongoing mission.
The charity estimates that for every £1 received in public donations, they save the NHS roughly £8 through their free delivery service. This efficiency ensures that more hospital funds can be directed toward frontline patient care rather than logistical expenses.
Expanding Reach and Awareness
The team is currently working to increase its presence across Nottinghamshire by serving a wider network of local GP surgeries. A new campaign has also been launched to ensure hospital staff are aware they can call the volunteers for free collections at any time.
Given the regular staff turnover in many medical facilities, it is essential to remind new employees that this emergency transport option exists. This initiative aims to maximise the charity's accessibility and utility across the healthcare sector.
Corporate Support and Community Impact
Mark Cotes, managing director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Midlands, commented on the partnership: “The importance of the work of Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes can’t be stressed enough, as it provides a vital service to enhance patient care.” The contribution was made through the housebuilder’s dedicated Community Fund scheme, underscoring the role of corporate social responsibility in supporting local charities.
This donation not only aids immediate operational needs but also reinforces the collaborative effort between businesses and volunteer organisations to bolster community health services. The continued success of Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes demonstrates how targeted support can sustain essential, life-saving missions across the region.
