I started volunteering with SERVSC to try and give something back to society. I get a good feeling knowing that I’m helping others. Making a small difference to someone’s life who needs help.

I've been with SERVSC for about 4 years now. Mainly out at night on my bike, collecting and delivering whatever needs to be taken to wherever it needs to go. This year I’ve started some of the controller work which has been very interesting. I've got to see all the organisation it takes behind the scenes which no one ever sees to maintain the service we pride ourselves on delivering.

I've also made some good new friends along the way so I’ve gained at the same time as giving.

I started volunteering for SERVSC just over 4 years ago. I have ridden motorcycles all my life so it was a natural thing to bring the two together. To start with I was a responder, but recently I started also volunteering as a controller as I wanted to do more.

It's fair to say that my family has received its fair share of service and support from the NHS over the years, so it's hugely rewarding to be able to give something back, not only saving the NHS money, but helping someone in need. One of my fondest memories was my first time taking donated breast milk to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Ipswich. It was an emotional affair as my eldest daughter spent the first 8 weeks of her life in there and when I walked in to deliver the products I bumped straight into one of the nurses who looked after her 20 plus years ago.

The other aspect of SERVSC work I enjoy is fundraising. Getting to talk to people about what we do and seeing the joy on the faces of children climbing on the bikes as well as the social aspect of meeting other volunteers.

I became a SERVSC volunteer towards the end of last year. My husband works for the emergency services and I was keen to get involved some way myself.

I have been giving blood since I was a student so it's nice to know I’m helping to transport something that I’m also donating.

I feel rather proud when I’m out and about in my hi-vis jacket!

I started to ride motorcycles in 2007 and have loved riding ever since. My wife Helen and I have toured extensively in Europe and the USA since then - we love being bikers and seeing the world on two wheels. A few years ago, I learned about Blood Bikers at a city centre event in Peterborough.  It struck me then as a great way to use the skills I have as a motorcyclist to give something back for the pleasure my hobby has given me. I'm proud to now be a Blood Biker, and I've recently completed my 50th delivery.

We are all aware that motorcyclists are vulnerable when on the road. An accident may leave us relying on the skills of a team of specialists to save our lives. Being a blood biker makes me a part of that team - I love the sense of having done someone some good after I've made a delivery.

To be part of a team that helps save someone's life relies on the larger SERVSC team that raises funds and operates our Blood Bike group.

Two examples sum up what being a blood biker means to me. First. I made a delivery to one of our hospitals in the early hours of the morning. I arrived with the blood 3 minutes before the time it had been requested for and I was met by a member of staff who explained that the blood was going to be used immediately for a heart transplant. The second example was outside a supermarket where we were fundraising, a member of the public pushed a large amount of money into the collection pot and explained that we had helped to save his mother’s life.

I started riding when I was 16 years old (I was on the back of my dad's bike as soon as I could touch the pegs).

A few years ago I went to a motorcycle event in Birmingham and saw the blood bikes so I asked what they do and how I could sign up - I went home work with a handful of leaflets and signed up. I wanted to sign up for a number of reasons, but the main reason was I wanted to say thank you to the NHS for all they did for my family when my Nan was in hospital.

When I get a call from the controller in charge and I finish the task in hand I always wonder who needed our service. It's fantastic when you do a fundraiser and people come and tell us their stories and how grateful they are for what we have done for them. I feel honoured and privileged to help provide this service to those who need it and I plan to carry on helping those in need for a very long time.

I started volunteering with SERV in January 2017 after seeing them at shows and finding out what they did, I initially started out being on call which means I get to use my bike on quiet roads with the option of using the car when the weather is a bit more inclement.

Being on call can be fun especially in the summer months when a middle of the night phone call has you travelling along the empty roads with the sun coming up not so much in the winter. Since joining I also complete runs for MAGPAS and EAAA. Recently I have started in a controller role at weekends. All of which means I get to hopefully make a difference to someone else.

I have also met with a great group of people who even at silly o'clock in freezing rain still great you with a cheery smile and a laugh to brighten your day, and it definitely beats sitting at home twiddling my thumbs.

I joined SERVSC in September 2016 after meeting the team at a fundraising event. Spurred on to be part of a team giving something back to the community whilst riding my motorbike, I completed my IAM Advanced Rider qualification before joining.

Having now completed more than 150 deliveries, of not just blood and blood products, but also human milk and delivering the re-supply to MAGPAS and EAAA air ambulances, and now, in support of the Group's covid-19 response, oncology medicines and PPE; I 'love' helping deliver something so vital whilst helping the NHS save much needed money.

The only reward needed - the smile on the face of the receiving hospital's staff

My name’s Brian and I’m a 43 year old IT Lecturer from Great Oakley in Essex. I’ve been riding bikes for about 14 years now and currently have a 600 Bandit.

I joined SERV about 5 months ago because I had heard that they would be delivering donor baby milk between hospitals. This struck a nerve for me as my daughter was in Great Ormond Street 10 years ago and I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be for intensive care units to maintain stock of donor milk and had to regularly resort to formula for babies. Formula is not as good nutritionally for babies and having mother’s milk can make that vital difference.

I always feel a great sense of pride when I put on my SERV hi-viz and go to a pick up as I know that sometimes what I am transporting could be making the difference between life and death.

I am a teacher in Woodbridge and have been a Triumph fan since buying my first Tiger Cub in 1974. I currently have three Triumphs in my garage, unfortunately only one works! I became a member of SERV in February after meeting a group of SERV volunteers raising funds and awareness whilst I was out Christmas shopping in Ipswich. They all seemed like very nice people doing something worthwhile and I decided to join so that I could combine my love of motorcycling with a charitable activity.

I’m normally on duty four or five times each month and get called out on about 60-70% of those duties. It is very gratifying to receive the thanks of the staff in the haematology departments when you are making a delivery and to know that you are only being called out because there is someone in need of the blood or blood product that you have just delivered.

Furthermore, it is really a pleasure meeting all the other SERV members, who are, as I suspected when I met them in Ipswich, a very fine bunch.

My name is Sean and being a member of SERV gives an immense pleasure to knowing that, as a volunteer, I can make a difference to the well being of those less fortunate and in need of our services, whether it be blood products, human milk or equipment for the hospitals in our area.

I have known about SERV for many years and would have joined a group long ago, but due to residential location this was not possible.SERV Suffolk & Cambridgeshire have now given me this wonderful opportunity to join in, as my location, living close to Cambridge enables me to be on call and within 30 minutes I can be at a collection, delivery or rendezvous point. Primarily the group are motorcyclists that enable them to move through the traffic a lot easier, but I only drive a car and get called upon equally as much.

I work as a crane operator during the day, leaving me free time to volunteer in the evenings and weekends. Married to Samantha who supports me in what I do, especially when getting woken up at 2am for that urgent call.

Knowing you could be saving a life or making a difference is more than worthwhile.

Come and join us.

My Name is Vanessa Wild (Ness) and I joined SERV December 2011 and feel very proud to be part of making a difference.

I felt very welcomed from all members that I have met and enjoy doing as many blood runs for West area as I can, fitting around Work and personal life.I live in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and I work as a Nursery Nurse working with children.I enjoy riding my Kawasaki 650 and taking part in ride-outs usually for various charities, also Biker rallies catching up with old friends and making new ones.

I am a blood donor donating blood 3 times a year and I thought it made sense to transport it as well. I have helped SERV on collection days at various locations 4 times now and enjoyed talking to members of the public about SERV and trying to recruit more volunteers.

As an exile from Yorkshire now living in Suffolk I had used motorcycles as my main transport for a few years before the move to university in Wales meant that a car was far more practical for the two hundred and twenty mile journey. Following a lay off from bikes of almost a decade my wife (yes really) talked me back into biking in 2002. I have owned a few different bikes since then and currently own a trusty Honda CBF1000.

I’d heard about Serv a few years ago and had looked at joining a local group, hoping to be able to help others and support the local NHS. At that time I had been told there was nothing in the Suffolk area.

My wife and I had gone Christmas shopping last December thinking not too much else would happen other than spending far more than anticipated on presents. Then walking across the Cornhill in Ipswich I saw some blokes with motorcycles under a gazebo. So I decided to go and take a look at the bikes and to find out what they were doing. To my surprise they were representing Serv as a group had been set up earlier in 2011. I had a chat with the chaps running the stand and said I was interested in signing up. They then gave me some details about the group and details of who to contact about becoming a volunteer rider

I completed my training in February 2012 and have been appearing in the rota for the Eastern area of the group since, starting off with a call at midnight on my first shift!