SSH carpenter volunteers for
Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service
30 June 2006
A carpenter who works for South Somerset Homes volunteers for the Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service (Freewheelers EVS) and wants others to do the same. John Wade, aged 32 years volunteers his spare time and weekends to the local charity based in Yeovil. This involves transporting urgent medical supplies to hospitals in Somerset, Bristol and even as far away as London.
Founded in 1978, the Freewheelers EVS provides a free service to the NHS, and covers Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol and Bath. Often referred to as ‘blood bikes’ they also do much more including transporting patient notes, biopsies, X-rays, prescription drugs and other medical supplies.
Freewheelers EVS owns two specially adapted Honda Deauville motorcycles equipped with blue lights and two-tone sirens for emergency use. The bikes enable them to respond quickly to deliver urgently required items, which would otherwise be sent using a costly taxi or courier. It is their ability to respond in an emergency that helps save lives.
Pictured here is John Wade (Freewheeler) with his invaluable blood bike
Freewheelers EVS is run solely by volunteers and is coordinated from Yeovil District Hospital. The ‘calls' are passed onto the duty volunteer riders via a pager. The volunteers themselves raise much of the funds that are needed to keep this vital service operating. This includes road runs, raffles, sponsored events and presentation talks to local organisations.
John Wade said, ‘Individual donations to Freewheelers EVS, however large or small, are an important source of funding and are always very welcome. Every donation, no matter how small, helps us to deliver valuable services to the NHS and its patients.’
Pictured here is one of the blood bike’s
If you would like to make a donation or if you would like to join the Freewheelers EVS please call the duty coordinator on 07811 718311, email freewheelers@btinternet.com or visit their website www.freewheelersevs.org
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