The story starts in 2018 when the Yeovil Freewheelers Emergency Volunteer Service, the oldest operational blood bike group in the country, who were providing a free emergency courier service between hospitals, laboratories and patients across South Somerset and part of Dorset recognised that there was a gap in their coverage of Dorset, and a blood bike operating out of the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester would fill this need.

 Blood Bikes The Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Dorset was approached by the charity about funding a Blood Bike to be based at the Dorset County Hospital, and recognising the need an appeal was formally launched at the Annual Provincial Mark meeting held at Portland on Saturday 15th September 2018.

Blood Bikes Blood BikesFollowing this tremendous support from the Brethren it was decided to try and raise enough for a second bike. This time around the Mark received support from other Orders in Dorset, including a donation of £4,000 from the Provincial Grand Chapter of Dorset and other generous donations from the Red Cross of Constantine and the Scarlet Cord, adding to their fundraising.

On Saturday 1st August 2020, the culmination of just under two years of fundraising, the second Blood Bike, to be based at Dorset County Hospital, was presented to the Yeovil Freewheelers EVS. The presentation at DCH, unfortunately a low-key affair due to the Covid-19 restrictions, was made by the Provincial Grand Master for Dorset, R.W. Bro. Mike Whelan, and W.Bro. Graham Glazier G.S.D, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent of Dorset, accompanied by the Provincial Charity Steward, W.Bro. Richard Paisley P.G.I.G.

In total, in just under two years, some £24,000 has been raised which is a fantastic achievement by all involved, and whilst the first bike is deemed the ‘Mark’ Blood Bike, the second one was sign written with the words ‘Donated by Dorset Freemasons’ to acknowledge all donations and demonstrate the closeness of all the Masonic Orders in Dorset.

At the Annual Virtual Business Meeting on Saturday 19th September the Provincial Grand Master congratulated all for their incredible support to this worthy cause, adding that with a little bit more training he might be able to ride one without the stabilisers!


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