Need to raise the profile of our blood bikes
Mick Scaife from Devon Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service (to give the charity its full title) spoke via Zoom to members and partners of the Rotary Club of Tiverton
By the Rotary Club of Tiverton, Devon
As Rotary President Malcolm Lock’s nominated charity for his year of office, he is keen that the profile of Devon Freewheelers, commonly known as Devon Blood Bikes, our local, vital but understated charity is raised, as many folk in the county do not realise that it exists.
Mick Scaife from Devon Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service (to give the charity its full title) spoke via Zoom to members and partners of the Rotary Club of Tiverton recently of his own experiences in working as a volunteer for the organisation, supporting the NHS in delivering essential whole blood, blood and other medical samples, medication, patient notes, medical equipment and tissue samples to hospitals, air ambulances and other NHS establishments and even to patients’ homes throughout Devon.
A team of volunteer trained and highly skilled riders and drivers, call handlers and fundraisers are dedicated to providing a 24 hrs a day 7 days a week service. It was started in 2009 by Dan Roe-Lavery and now has almost 100 active volunteer members plus fundraisers, with 58 active riders of the blood bikes, two of which are women, and 20 drivers for the six cars and vans owned plus 13 controllers. The cars are a particular boon in severe weather conditions.
The charity relies on the support and generosity of donations from members of the public, the support of community groups and corporate sponsorship. It estimates that it saves the NHS around £185k a year. However, the charity’s annual costs are between £150k and £200k with the insurance cost very high.
During the pandemic the Freewheelers were particularly busy and, as already suggested, their missions are not restricted to the transport of blood. A mum’s vital breast milk was recently delivered to her two premature babies in Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. Hospital staff have also occasionally benefitted from car transport by the charity.
Mick told members of the liaison with Devon Air Ambulance and with other freewheeler groups in Devon, Somerset and Cornwall. He related some of his personal stories in his time working for a charity of which many people, including some hospital staff, are unaware.
President Malcolm Lock thanked Mick for an excellent presentation which prompted many questions from Club members. He emphasised the need for public awareness of the incredible work Devon Freewheelers and other similar groups around the country undertake in all winds and weathers and on a 24/7 basis.
More information on the charity may be found on their website https://www.devonfreewheelers.org.uk while for more information about Rotary International and the local Clubs contact Secretary, Andrea Rowe, on rctiverton1175@gmail.com or phone on 01884 258820. The website is on tinyurl.com/tivertonrotary and the Club is also on Facebook (‘Rotary Club of Tiverton’)
