SERV Wessex, the blood bike charity for Hampshire, east Dorset and south Wiltshire, has taken delivery of a new grant-funded motorcycle to enhance the service it provides to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has bought the new machine, a purpose built Yamaha FJR 1300 blood bike, for use by the volunteer riders of SERV Wessex who replenish the blood carried by the air ambulance helicopter every 48 hours.

As well as normal blood bike livery, the bike carries the distinctive green graphics and logo of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight service.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance chief executive Alex Lochrane said: “This grant has cemented our relationship with the fabulous blood bikers who give their time to provide an indispensable service.”

Using sophisticated temperature-controlled packaging, which keeps the blood safe to use, volunteer blood bikers carry one fresh box of two units of blood to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance critical care team in Thruxton three times a week.

Any blood not used within 48 hours during emergency missions is then transported back to University Hospital Southampton for use in theatres. The journey from University Hospital Southampton to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance airbase in Thruxton is a round trip of approximately 80 miles.

Tim Bennett, from SERV Wessex, said: “Our volunteer riders are proud to be associated with the air ambulance and to be able to play their part in helping to bring the hospital to the patient.”