Devon Freewheelers donate free face masks to schools in Exmouth

Devon Freewheelers volunteers have been in Exmouth giving away free face masks and highlighting the work of the charity.

The Devon Blood Bikes volunteers donated face masks to schools in the town, for staff and students to wear.

Russell Roe, Devon Freewheelers' Deputy CEO, said the younger children had been keen to learn more about the charity, its volunteers and the work of the Devon Blood Bikes.

He said any school, playgroup, organisation or club keen for a visit from the Devon Freewheelers Blood Bikes was welcome to get in touch.

Devon Freewheelers donated free face masks to Exmouth Community College, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Littleham Church of England Primary School, Brixington Primary Academy and The Beacon Church of England Primary School.

Mr Roe said: "The children we visited had lots of questions about how the charity works, what the volunteers do in the community and how we use motorbikes to transport blood, breast milk and medical equipment wherever it is needed.

"Their enthusiasm was great to see - after all, they could be our volunteers of the future.

"We really enjoy getting out and about into the communities we serve and explaining how the charity supports the NHS with its free service."

He added: "The coronavirus pandemic stopped every opportunity for our volunteers to give talks in the community until we launched our virtual talks in the spring, which proved very popular.

"It was fantastic for the volunteers to be able to move away from meeting online and actually take the Devon Blood Bikes out for the children to see, and answer their questions in person."

Devon Freewheelers introduced virtual talks during the Covid-19 pandemic for groups and organisations keen to learn about the work of the charity and its volunteers.

The tailored talks, in return for a donation, proved a success with the charity's supporters, while raising much-needed funds for the Devon Freewheelers.

Volunteers held question and answer sessions for groups and their members, gave a potted history of the charity, and explained what the free service offers across the county, and how the Devon Freewheelers adapted amid the pandemic.

Mr Roe said: "Fundraising over the past year has proved incredibly challenging because of social distancing and lockdown laws, but the virtual talks have helped the charity overcome some of these obstacles."

To book a virtual or in-person talk for your group or organisation, call the Devon Freewheelers office on 0300 800 0105.