MEET the team of bikers who selflessly give up their time 365 nights a year to deliver life-changing blood and other vital supplies.

The volunteers, known as ‘blood runners’, met up alongside legendary motorsport commentator Murray Walker to officially launch their services as they all took part in a grand ride.

The newly formed SERV Wessex are part of the UK’s largest blood bike organisation and are based at Southampton and District Motorcycle Club in Eastleigh.

The 75-strong team, who use their own bikes, will provide a free-of-charge outof- hours delivery service for ten hospitals in the area.

SERV Wessex regional coordinator Stuart Graham said SERV Hampshire previously existed for 18 months saving NHS Hampshire around £20,000 in expensive courier fees but the branch has now joined with Dorset and Wiltshire.

He added: “I have been into motorcycles all my life like many of the blood runners and this just allows us to help. It is completely voluntary, the riders get nothing at all, not even for fuel, but it means the NHS can save money to plough back into health services.

“There is a huge community spirit in the biker world, and this is just bikers doing what they have always done but at night behind the scenes.”