A vital service that transports blood to people in need outside of normal working hours has received a generous donation.

Eastern Daily Press: Presentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op staff in Hingham. Sam Winter, Co-op area manager hands the keys over to Colin Farrington, SERV chairman and operations manager. Picture: ANTONY KELLYPresentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op staff in Hingham. Sam Winter, Co-op area manager hands the keys over to Colin Farrington, SERV chairman and operations manager. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

The East of England Co-op helped raise funds for SERV Norfolk Blood Bikes to buy a new car to add to their fleet after the charity revealed 18 months ago it was struggling financially.

SERV were handed the keys to the latest addition to their fleet by Sam Winter, eastern area manager for the Co-op Food Stores.

A naming ceremony was held outside the Co-op Food Store in Hingham where the new car, named the 'Norfolk Pioneer' was presented.

Keith Grisedale, treasurer for SERV, said: 'Co-op Food Stores supported us at Run Norwich last year, not only with items for the runners' goody bags, but also by having some of their staff run for us and also to act as marshals for the race.

Eastern Daily Press: Presentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op staff in Hingham. Picture: ANTONY KELLYPresentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op staff in Hingham. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

'In the 18 months we raised enough money to buy a car which we needed to have in each of the four group areas of the county. We decided in honour of the support we have received from the Co-op, it would be beneficial to them to show their support of how local causes support works in reality.'

SERV name all their bikes and cars, so once deciding on buying the car, they said it would be known as the 'Co-op car'. The charity asked the East of England Co-op for a name and as the Co-op, was the pioneer of the cooperative shopping movement since 1844 and as SERV is a Norfolk charity, they decided to call the car the Norfolk Pioneer.

Mr Grisedale added: 'Without the support of Co-op Food Stores this would not have been possible and by naming the car, this is our way of thanking them for that support.

'Operationally we now have a modern fleet with an older car and bikes being phased out and this gives us more flexibility in providing the service to our local hospitals and the air ambulance.'

Eastern Daily Press: Presentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op staff in Hingham. Picture: ANTONY KELLYPresentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op staff in Hingham. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

SERV will use their new car to transport blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast milk and other urgently required medical items to hospitals.

Eastern Daily Press: Presentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op staff in Hingham. Picture: ANTONY KELLYPresentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op staff in Hingham. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Presentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op satff in Hingham. Sam Winter, Co-op area manager hands the keys over to Colin Farrington, SERV chairman and operations manager.Picture: ANTONY KELLYPresentation of new SERV Blood car from Co-op satff in Hingham. Sam Winter, Co-op area manager hands the keys over to Colin Farrington, SERV chairman and operations manager.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)