I am a member of SERV (also known nationally as Association of Blood Bikes).
Our area is Bucks, Berks, Oxon and Northants, however we also make runs/collectins into London, and some other areas far flung!
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http://serv.org.uk
We are always on the lookout for new members. I am on the committee (although not currently active owing to illness), and was a route trainer, & observer for them.
We have a Standard Operating Procedure with hospitals that use our service and we are not there to replace the NBS but to assist.
We have a number of fully marked blood bikes. 2 Pans and 2 Deauvilles. Although they do have both sirens and blue lights we do not currently use them although this is always reviewed. Rationale is that as our operating hours are evening/nights and weekends a bike can get through traffic just as easy and sometimes using blues etc can make things worse!
Most people dont know this but a hospital usually has one delivery of blood and blood products a day. If they need extra, they pay a taxi or courier to collect them, which is where we come in.
We also take medication, CD's of scans, X rays, medical instruments etc. When we had the really bad weather last Jan we provided a number of 4x4 vehicles and drivers on standby to assist.
It is a very worthwhile charity to support. Not only do we need riders but as a charity we also rely on donations and often attend public events with our display unit to promote our work.
You are insured on the marked bikes but must ensure your own Insurer is happy to cover you.
Two incidents that really stand out for me personally are a transfer from Stoke Mandeville to Great Ormond St. That hospital really choked me up....
A couple of years ago i volunteered for the night shift on New Years Eve as i have no friends! I ended up going to the National Vaccine Centre in Hendon and collecting a Rabies Vaccine which had to get to Milton Keynes.
