Blood Bikes charity switches from two wheels to four with new Dacia fleet
A volunteer service providing urgent transportation of blood and other medical essentials is supplementing its motorbike fleet with new Dacia vehicles.
Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes (SSCBB) was set up in 2014 and provides a vital and free motorbike delivery service, undertaking 7,000 medical deliveries annually for NHS hospitals in the regions.
To guarantee supplies, SSCBB has invested in four Dacia Joggers, supplementing its fleet of 18 motorcycles.
Jeremy Cartwright, chair of the charity, commented: “SSCBB primarily undertake urgent or time-critical jobs that cannot be done using the hospital’s regular transport. If we are not available, the hospital will try to book a specialist courier, a taxi or may even delay the related treatment, all very costly. Adding the Dacia Joggers to our fleet provides increased service flexibility and choice for our volunteers as well as saving the NHS more money.”
The cars are used to ensure urgent deliveries in adverse weather conditions or for long-distance deliveries (see video here).
Cartwright added: “In the past if we were unable to send a bike due to bad weather, the operation could be cancelled; now we just send a Jogger instead.”
The seven-seat MPVs also help to promote the important work the charity does by taking volunteers and equipment to fundraising events.
The Jogger was shortlisted and chosen in preference to small vans that the charity initially trialled as they felt it was more practical, provided the best value for money and could be relied upon.
The Joggers have already clocked up over 20,000 miles in their first month with the charity due to icy conditions.
Luke Broad, Dacia brand director for the UK, commented: “This charity does an absolutely incredible job of helping the NHS and the public. Their work is vital, and we are so pleased to see the Jogger playing such a key support role.
“Its space, practicality and durability make it perfect for its duties, as well as giving the charity the best value for money.”
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.
