A charity that helps the NHS by transporting vital items such as blood bags, frozen breast milk for premature babies, patient samples, and medication has been given a major boost by Mansfield Building Society.

Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes received a £12,500 donation from The Mansfield’s Charitable Trust, enabling it to add a new bike to its fleet.

Formed in 2013, the charity is run entirely by unpaid volunteers, providing a free, 24-hour delivery service for the NHS in Nottinghamshire.

Volunteer Peter Hauton said: “Our vehicles exist for the sole purpose of serving the NHS. During the pandemic, our workload increased three-fold and it became essential to increase the number of bikes in our service to continue providing cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A huge donation like this from Mansfield Building Society’s Charitable Trust is, quite simply, saving lives.”

The trust’s Vickie Preston added that it was proud to support the work of Blood Bikes.

“With usual fundraising efforts severely thwarted during the pandemic, and with the charity not receiving NHS or Government funding, its financial reserves were hugely depleted at a time when they were in the most demand,” she said.

“As the need for the service continues to increase, we are thrilled this donation will allow the hard work the service does to continue in our local communities for years to come.”

If you would like to know more about volunteering for Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes, visit nottsbb.org

For more information about Mansfield Building Society’s Charitable Trust, go to mansfieldbs.co.uk/charitable-trust-scheme