Vital new cars brought in to deliver urgent medical supplies in bad weather from blood to breast milk
A FLEET of cars that deliver urgent blood when conditions are hazardous for motorcycles has clocked up more than 40,000 miles in just three months.
The volunteer-run Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire Blood Bikes charity added four cars to its fleet of 18 motorbikes to guarantee vital deliveries in poor weather conditions, for larger items, and long-distance drives.
The additions mean the organisation can now operate reliably 24/7, 365 days a year with no break in their service.
Since launching in mid-December, the Dacia Jogger vehicles have covered 43,865 miles in total – with 19,353 in January alone.
Due to an icy start to 2025 making roads hazardous for motorcycles, the cars have completed 620 jobs, including transporting blood and other medical items such as donated breast milk.
The car was chosen as a preference to small vans by the charity for its practicality, reliability, and affordability.
Blood Bikes typically travel more than 375,000 miles a year and undertake 7,000 urgent medical deliveries for NHS hospitals across Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire.
Jeremy Cartwright, chair of the charity, said: “Having cars in our fleet allows us to take on very long runs or to transport larger items when needed, but the primary use for the Dacia Jogger vehicles is to protect our service during bad weather.
“We take on an increasing number of time-critical jobs where the delivery is linked to a specific theatre operation – in the past, if we were unable to send a bike due to bad weather, the operation could be cancelled. Now we send a car instead.
“We primarily undertake urgent jobs which cannot be done using the hospital’s regular transport.
“If we are not available, the hospital will book a specialist courier or taxi, which can delay treatment and be costly.
“Adding the Dacia Joggers to our fleet provides increased service flexibility and choice for our volunteers, as well as saving the NHS money.”
Luke Broad, from the car brand, said: “This charity does an absolutely incredible job of helping the NHS and public.
“Their work is vital, and we are so pleased to help play a key support role.”