A “vital” resource supporting Fife’s health services is in urgent need of more donations.
Blood Bikes have been operating across Scotland since 2012 and provide a free, volunteer-run motorcycle courier service to NHS Scotland health boards, including NHS Fife.
Since the coronavirus outbreak began, the charity has been providing 24 shifts a week to help NHS Fife, including motorcycles dedicated to serving the COVID-19 testing centre at Cameron Hospital in Windygates and the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.
Derrick Sachs, a Kennoway local and volunteer rider with the group, said: ““Up to the last few weeks, this has been a weekend service in Fife but our services have been called upon ever increasingly.
“This is a great saving to NHS Fife and the wider Scottish NHS, who would otherwise use taxis or courier services.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public fundraising has been postponed which is having an impact on our charities fundraising activities.
“The running cost of the charity, which is staffed by volunteers with every penny raised going towards its running, is approximately £3,500 per month.”
Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, said: “Blood Bikes Scotland is providing a vital service across Fife to support our NHS as we face up to the greatest peacetime challenge in our lifetimes.
“The charity is providing additional support for free during the coronavirus outbreak, which is helping to lighten the load for our NHS by transporting samples, medicines, and medical instruments across the Kingdom and beyond.
“I know Blood Bikes will make good use of any donations they receive at this time.
“Here in Mid Fife and Glenrothes, the community response in the fight against coronavirus has been second to none.
“I am grateful to every individual, community group and charity who are playing their part to support the most vulnerable in our society and to all my constituents who are following the government’s advice to stay at home to protect our NHS and save lives.”
Online donations can be made through the charity’s website: https://bloodbikesscotland.co.uk/donate.
