Registered Charity 299434
Emergency medical motorcycle couriers; free to the NHS - volunteering since 1978
Control: 0300 030 1178 | General Enquiries: 0300 030 1180
YFW Blood Bikes
Emergency medical motorcycle couriers; free of charge to the NHS, volunteers since 1978
YFW Blood Bikes provide a Time Critical, Emergency medical motorcycle courier service free of charge to the NHS and is run entirely by volunteers. We are a charity organisation run by Yeovil Freewheelers (EVS) delivering blood, platelets, tissue samples, medication, baby milk, X-rays, CT scans, medical documents and equipment to countless NHS organisations and patients in South Somerset and Dorset, saving the NHS in excess of £400,000 a year.
We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, collecting and delivering to hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, laboratories, and patients. Our bases are Yeovil District Hospital, Dorset County Hospital (Dorchester) and Musgrove Park Hospital (Taunton).
Our team of volunteers and fleet of eight motorcycles is entirely dependent on donations to keep us on the road. So, thank you to all the individuals and organisations that have donated over the years, and continue to do so. You have our heartfelt thanks.
We were founded in 1978 by Mr Cecil Turner and are the oldest operational blood bike group in the country, and we believe, in the world.
If you would like to help us continue the story and Cecil’s legacy by donating, please click on the ‘donate’ button above, or here…
Or if you think you could become a volunteer with us, see below.
We need your support
We are a successful and long-running charity having survived and grown for over 4 decades.
Focused on rapid response to the NHS’ urgent courier needs we have no salaried staff and receive no funding from either national or local government.
We rely solely on the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of donors, sponsors, businesses and people within our communities.
If you feel that you would like to help us to help the NHS to save lives, please check out our donation opportunities.
Thank you.
Volunteer Opportunities
To ride for us you must be over 25 years of age, hold a full unrestricted motorcycle licence and have had no recent “at fault” accidents. You must also hold a recognised advanced riding qualification such as IAM or ROSPA. If you are working towards an advanced qualification you can still join us as a non-rider.
We always need people to help in non-riding positions such as control, fundraising, publicity or garage maintenance to mention a few. These essential support positions enable us to provide the reliable service that is valued by hospitals and patients alike. Please send us a message through our contact page or talk to us at one of the many events we attend throughout the year.
Helping Hospitals Save Lives
We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in all weathers. All day, every day, and night, whenever we are needed. Supporting hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, laboratories and patients, our volunteers understand what we are doing is Time Critical.
One of the major advantages of a motorcycle is our riders can often make safe progress when a car would be stuck in traffic, essential when what you are delivering is Time Critical.
Your donations make all that we do possible, and you have helped in many ways - from paying for fuel for one of our bikes at the pumps or even buying one of our riders refreshment whilst they have stopped to refuel.