Volunteers at the charity Blood Bikes Wales in Cwmbran run their vital service out of the garages just to the side of the fire station on Henllys Way.
They work tirelessly delivering a critical service for the NHS.
They courier blood samples, plasma, donated human milk, documents and other items to and from hospitals and offices in six health boards in Wales.
The team of volunteers works during the week for some health boards, and cover the whole of Wales from 7pm on Friday evening until midnight on Monday morning, including bank holidays and Christmas Day.
Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds visited them recently.
He said: “I was delighted to meet with volunteers from Blood Bikes Wales to hear more about the work they do to support our NHS – not just here in Gwent but across the entirety of Wales.
‘Voluntary service’
“Blood Bikes Wales are a fully voluntary service and work with the NHS to deliver critical services for patients, and also saves the NHS transportation costs.
“They are a vital support for our emergency services, and it was great to be able to thank them for all that they do.”
Andy Green from Blood Bikes Wales said: “It was a pleasure to meet Nick and to be able to explain how and why we volunteer for Blood Bikes Wales.
“We volunteer to give something back to the NHS. All our members give their time 100% free. No members receive any payment, and all donations go towards paying for the purchase and running costs of the motorcycles and the Charity.
‘Volunteer’
“We always need volunteers to join us. It’s not just about motorcycles, it’s about giving something back and supporting the NHS.”
Blood Bikes Wales was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021. This is the highest award that can be given to a voluntary organisation in the United Kingdom and is equivalent to an MBE.