The charity, Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service (EVS), who
run the Blood Bikes, were guests of the Chair of Bath & North
East Somerset Council, Councillor David Bellotti at a Civic
Reception at the Guildhall on Monday 21 July.
Councillor Bellotti welcomed the representatives and presented
them with his first Chair’s Community Award of 2008/09 to
Freewheelers EVS in recognition of their services to the local
community of Bath & North East Somerset. This is likely
to one of several such awards that Councillor Bellotti will award
to local charities during 2008/09.
The charity has also recently received the Queen’s Award
for Voluntary Service. This prestigious award is given every
year on the anniversary of the Queen's Coronation in recognition of
the significant work done by 'unsung heroes' in their
community. This is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon
such groups and is equivalent in status to the MBE.
The Charity owns and runs four specially equipped Honda Pan
European Motorcycles to provide a free-of-charge emergency medical
courier service to the NHS in Bath, Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire
by transporting Blood, Tissue Samples and Medical
Records.
Some 60 volunteers cover 365 days a year from 7pm to 7am
weekdays and 24 hours a day at weekends and Bank Holidays to offer
this valuable service.
The Motorcycles are ridden and the Charity is operated entirely
by volunteers. Their weekly expenditure is over £200 on fuel
alone and some £20,000 annual operating costs. Freewheelers
EVS revenue is raised entirely from charitable donations.
The Charity provides a vital (and sometimes life-saving) service
to patients and the wider community.
This service is totally non-discriminatory and therefore has the
potential to serve any member of the public when they are
unfortunate enough to require medical help. Thousands of
patients are the beneficiaries of Freewheelers EVS' services
every year, probably without even being aware of the fact.
The Reception was in recognition of Freewheelers EVS’
achievement last month of being awarded Councillor Bellotti also
awarded Freewheelers EVS are always very keen to hear from any
local businesses that are looking to sponsor or make donations to a
worthy local Charity.
Further details of Freewheelers EVS may be found on the Charity
website:- www.freewheelers.org.uk
