Leicestershire Blood Bikes receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK

Leicestershire and Rutland Blood Bikes have received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The public-spirited volunteers have been honoured after clocking up thousands of miles across Harborough as well as the rest of the county helping to save countless lives.

They ride on Blood Bikes delivering blood and blood products, pathology samples, medication, patient notes and scans and human donor milk to major NHS hospitals such as Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital and Leicester General.

The hero volunteers also provide vital support to the local Air Ambulance service, delivering blood for use by the trauma teams at a whole range of emergency incidents.

Oliver Cufflin, the chairman of Leicestershire and Rutland Blood Bikes, said he is “extremely honoured” to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

“The group is extremely delighted and wholly humbled to receive this award,” he said.

“It is a testament to each and every one of our wonderful volunteers, who have now been officially recognised at the highest level for their ongoing hard work and commitment.”

Leicestershire and Rutland Blood Bikes is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their very own communities.

The honour was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Recipients are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Leicestershire and Rutland Blood Bikes will receive the award crystal and certificate from Michael Kapur OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, this summer.

Two volunteers from the Blood Bikes will also head to London to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2022, along with other winners of this year’s award.