WHILE you may never have heard of the Severn Freewheelers, the likelihood is the group will have had an impact upon the lives of people you know and love.
Armed with a motorcycle and fluorescent jacket, these volunteers travel hundreds of miles to carry medical essentials to hospitals in the area.
Observer chief reporter Jonny Bonell spoke to two of the dedicated men to find out more about the potentially life-saving service they provide.
WHETHER it is riding from Malvern to Worcester or Wolverhampton to Cheltenham, the Severn Freewheelers often go unseen during the dead of the night.
But the work they do will always be known as they transport whole blood, pathology samples, patient scans and X-rays between hospitals in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, North Wiltshire and Herefordshire.
The group, which was created in March 2007, has travelled more than one million miles and carried out more than 24,000 calls – while working 365 days a year from 7pm to 7am and 24 hours at weekends – since its formation.
And having to couple the volunteering with full-time work would not be for the feint-hearted, but as Malvern resident John Beasley said, ‘behind every good biker is a good woman’.
The 65-year-old, who is recently retired from Morgan Motors, has been a Freewheeler for the past five years and said his love of motorbikes was the immediate draw.
“I have always had motorbikes,” he said. “Once I started advanced motorcycle training I got to know more about the Severn Freewheelers and I went along and joined the association.
“A lot of our jobs can be quite mundane, shifting samples, but every now and then you will get one that is serious and that is worth getting out of bed for at 3am, so it is very rewarding in that respect.
“It is a major commitment, not just for me, but for my wife aswell.
“If you have to turn out in the middle of the night the whole house is disturbed – but my wife is brilliant as soon as the phone goes I’m taking details and she gets the kettle on so I have a cup of coffee before I am ready on the bike.”
The charity relies on fund-raising activities and public donations to keep its presence in the area – as it costs £155,000 a year to run.
One of those events is the Shelsley Walsh Bike Festival, at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, on Sunday (September 13) which will feature classic and modern bike displays, manufacturers, passenger ride experiences, live music and trade stands.
All proceeds will go to support the volunteers continue their life-saving work.
Ian Stockwell, of Malvern, got involved with the charity as his eldest son, Tom, had Leukaemia at two-and-a-half years old. Ian has also been a committee member of the group for more than two years.
“Tom received lots of whole blood and platelets as part of his treatment, which ultimately saved his life,” Ian added.
“I have been a blood donor over 120 times, but when I got back into biking a few years ago it just felt fitting to become a Bloodbiker and a great way to give something back to the NHS and help others.
“Tom is now a strapping 32-year-old and has volunteered his time at our fund-raising events.”
Riders have to be advanced qualified and for more information visit www.severnfreewheelers.org.uk.
