A service which allows blood and tissue samples to be transferred quickly between hospitals has officially been launched in Pembrokeshire.

Blood Bikes Wales motorcycle riders can be called on by the local health service to help to transport life-saving supplies such as medicines, blood and plasma across sites during weekends and bank holidays. The volunteers complement Hywel Dda University Health Board’s transport service over weekends.

The charity has already been providing a support service for the University Health Board in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

Blood Bikes Wales started in February 2011, after a group of bikers heard about similar schemes in England.

The Pembrokeshire Blood Bikes representative and co-ordinator Phil Harries said: “Blood Bikes Wales was founded five years ago and we have worked hard at building the charity into an organisation that can deliver a highly professional, reliable and sustainable service.

“A big thank you to everyone that has been involved during 2015, for all the generous donations and support to get Blood Bikes Wales up and running in Pembrokeshire.”

Peter Llewellyn, assistant director of strategic partnerships for Hywel Dda University Health Board, added: “We are delighted that this valuable service will now be available at each of our main hospitals from March 2016, fulfilling a pledge that was made when the service was first successfully introduced in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

“We are very grateful for the ongoing commitment of Blood Bikes Wales, their volunteer riders and for all the support they receive from local businesses and organisations and in particular our local communities.”

The service currently has 30 riders and 50 members across mid and west Wales, with five people initially available to cover the Pembrokeshire area.

If you’re a biker, keen to help with another role or donate to this vital charity, contact Phil Harries, area representative for Hywel Dda South, on 07968 168486 / [email protected] or visit www.bloodbikeswales.co.uk / https://www.facebook.com/bloodbikeswales

There will be fundraising evening on Good Friday (March 25) at Newgale Lodge, at 7 pm, with live entertainment, light refreshments and a raffle. All are welcome to attend. Anyone who would like to go should contact Phil Harries.