A charity that provides a vital service of transporting blood to people in need outside of normal working hours has reached another milestone.
SERV Norfolk Blood Bikes have been presented with two new bikes by the Norwich Inns Group.
SERV is hoping with the help of local organisations, that they can replace their entire fleet with newer and more reliable bikes and cars.
The presentation of the two new Yamaha FJR 1300 bikes took place at Bawburgh Golf Club.
Each year the Norwich Inns Group selects a local charity as their charity of the year and their members raise funds through events and their customers.
Craig McClaren, CEO of Norwich Inns Group, said: 'Last year, Norwich Inns members were unanimous in selecting SERV Norfolk Blood Bikes as our charity of the year.
'Our members were keen to raise as much as possible to buy one bike and were amazed to find that we had raised enough for two. Considering the economical and financial pressures the licensed industry is experiencing, I am absolutely delighted with the substantial amount of money raised.'
SERV volunteers will now use the bikes to transport blood, plasma, donor breast milk and other urgently required medical items to hospitals and the East Anglian Air Ambulance at night, daytime weekends and bank holidays.
Since the charity started back in 2012, they have completed just under 5,000 callouts.
Colin Farrington, chairman of SERV, said: 'Last year we were struggling with an aging fleet and each time a bike went in for repair the costs were increasing. Now with these two bikes and the other bikes that have been donated to us, we are close to completing the bike replacement programme.
'All our members are unpaid volunteers and the charity is funded by donations from the public and charitable organisations. Without the donations of vehicles we would not be able to provide a free of charge service to the Norfolk NHS hospitals. So, on behalf of all the members of SERV Norfolk, thank you to your members and customers for the generous donation of these two bikes.'
SERV's costs are high are high and are now looking for corporate sponsorship to make the charity financially sustainable for the foreseeable future.
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