A CHARITY has got on its bike to deliver blood to hospital free of charge.

The BloodRunners, members of Essex Volunteer Blood Service, transport blood, plasma and platelets from the National Blood Service, in Brentwood, to Colchester General Hospital.

They will work between 7pm and 7am all year round and 24/7 on bank holidays.

Their deliveries could be used for road accident victims at A&E departments or patients in urgent need of an unusual type of blood.

Colchester General will use the blood and blood products and also supply Essex County Hospital and hospitals in Clacton, Halstead and Harwich.

Co-ordinator Carol Peacock, of Cracknell Close, Wivenhoe, said: “The service has saved many lives. It is run by volunteer motorcyclists and car drivers who give their time and petrol to do their bit to help others needing emergency supplies.

“We ask for no payment from the hospitals. We would rather they used the money to pay for equipment and services for patients.”

The service was welcomed by blood transfusion nurse practitioner Sue Turner. She said: “If we required blood and blood products out-of-hours, or needed to send samples for testing at the National Transfusion Reference Laboratory, in London, we had to pay for it.

“When Essex Volunteer Blood Service contacted us, we were pleased to take up their offer and look forward to working with them.”

The charity, formed four years ago, has 70 motorcyclists and drivers. They have received training and must be available overnight at least once a fortnight. For more information, visit essexbloodrunners.co.uk