Blood bikes cry for help as fuel rises hit

FUEL costs for Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes are up by over 40 per cent in the last two months. To offset the cost, the charity which delivers urgent blood samples, medication, and other medical items has now launched a new recruitment drive for volunteers to keep their wheels turning. Its riders and drivers log up to 18,000 miles on the road per month, but the conflict in Iran has meant that their fuel costs have increased increased from £3500 pounds a month, to around £5000 - a total increase of 43 per cent. A spokesperson for the charity explained: “We’re a 100 per cent volunteer-run charity providing a free, lifesaving service to the NHS 24/7, 365 days a year — delivering urgent blood, samples, medication and medical supplies across Dumfries and Galloway and beyond. “Every mile we cover is funded by the generosity and spirit of our local community. “You don’t need to ride a motorbike to make a difference. We’re looking for people who can help with: fundraising events, community stalls and awareness days, bucket collections, public engagement and behind-the-scenes support “Whether you can spare a few hours a month or help more regularly, you’ll be joining a friendly, passionate team making a real impact for patients and NHS staff across our region.” To find out more, email: [email protected].