Supporting Blood Bikes in London & Middlesex
£55,000+
Raised by the Province
2
Blood Bikes to be provided
245
Members have contributed
A Lifesaving Service
Blood Bikes provide a vital service to the NHS, transporting blood, urgent medical samples, medicines and other essential medical supplies to hospitals and healthcare services.
The service is operated entirely by volunteers and is provided free of charge to the NHS. Blood Bike volunteers also transport donated breast milk and help with the daily replenishment of Air Ambulances.
In London, where traffic and congestion can cause potentially critical delays, the ability to move vital medical supplies quickly can make a profound difference to patients.
For the Province of Middlesex Mark Master Masons, the importance of this service has become particularly personal.
The Middlesex Mark Blood Bikes Appeal
The Province launched its Blood Bikes Appeal in October 2024 with an initial target of £25,000, with the intention of helping to fund one or even two new motorcycles for the service.
The response from the Brethren was exceptional.
As the appeal progressed, it became clear that the Province was close to achieving its target. In January 2026, with Middlesex Craft commencing its five-year Festival in March, the Provincial Executive decided to slow the collection of funds from members.
This decision was made out of consideration for our members, many of whom are also members of Middlesex Craft. The Province did not wish to place additional financial pressure on them or hinder the Craft Province in achieving its Festival targets.
Lodges were, however, encouraged to continue supporting the Blood Bike Appeal through their alms collections and charity accounts. Donations could also be credited towards Lodge and individual Mark Benevolent Fund accounts, helping Lodges to achieve Patron and Grand Patron recognition.
The generosity of the Province ultimately exceeded all expectations.
£55,000+ Raised
More than £55,000 has now been raised – almost £30,000 above the original target.
This remarkable achievement will enable the Province to provide two Blood Bikes to support the charity and its volunteer riders.
To date, 245 members have contributed, while Lodges throughout the Province have also responded with great generosity.
The result is much more than a fundraising total. It represents a tangible and lasting contribution to a service which can, quite literally, help to save lives.
“For Me, the Blood Bikes Were a Lifesaver”
For Nailesh Mehta, PrJGD, the importance of Blood Bikes is not simply something he has read about or heard from others.
He experienced it first-hand.
Last November, Nailesh developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and was subsequently diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), also known as sticky blood syndrome.
Following further investigations, he was admitted to hospital after tests revealed that his haemoglobin levels had fallen to critical levels. He was extremely exhausted and seriously unwell.
His Consultant Haematologist decided that he needed a transfusion of two units of red blood cells.
The call for his blood type, Rh B+, went out on the Sunday. However, because of his APS and the presence of other autoantibodies, finding a suitable blood match was more complicated than usual.
Once a suitable match had been found, the blood was collected and transported by Blood Bikes to his hospital on Monday morning.
Nailesh received two units of red blood cells, with the transfusion taking approximately eight hours. The following day, his haemoglobin had increased by around 45%, and he could feel the difference. He was less exhausted and sleeping better at night.
He remained in hospital for two weeks while he recovered and regained his strength.
Looking back on the experience, Nailesh realised just how important the Blood Bikes had been in getting the blood to him when he needed it.
A Personal Connection
Nailesh is also a Trustee of the Mark Benevolent Fund, which has supported Blood Bike charities across England and Wales through its major grant initiative.
Having experienced the service personally, he now has a very different appreciation of the work undertaken by Blood Bike volunteers.
He is therefore particularly pleased that our Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Peter J. Hyde, chose to support Blood Bikes as a major initiative for the Province.
The appeal has demonstrated the extraordinary generosity and commitment of the Brethren of Middlesex Mark.
What the Appeal Will Achieve
The funds raised will provide two Blood Bikes for the charity.
These motorcycles will become an important part of the Blood Bikes operation, enabling volunteer riders to transport vital blood products, medical supplies and urgent samples swiftly and efficiently to hospitals and other medical services.
Every journey undertaken by a Blood Bike volunteer has the potential to make a profound difference to a patient – and, in some circumstances, may be the difference between life and death.
The Province is immensely proud that the generosity of its members and Lodges has been transformed into such a tangible and lasting contribution.
Thank You
The Provincial Grand Master and the Executive would like to express their sincere thanks to every Brother and every Lodge who has supported the Blood Bikes Appeal.
Whether through an individual contribution, an alms collection or a Lodge charity account, every donation has helped to make this achievement possible.
The original £25,000 target has become more than £55,000, providing two Blood Bikes and helping to support the volunteers who operate this vital service.
Thank you for helping to make a difference.
Continue to Support Blood Bikes
Although the Province has achieved its fundraising objective, Blood Bikes remain dependent upon charitable support to maintain and develop their service.
If you would like to continue to support Blood Bikes, please use the donation information provided below, or contact the Provincial Grand Charity Steward for further information.
How to donate:
- Download and print the form and return it to the Provincial Grand Charity Steward
- Or donate online at mcf.org.uk/support-our-work/relief-chest → Click "Donate" → "All Other Relief Chests" → enter code bbffmm.
- If donating online, please inform the Provincial Grand Charity Steward of your payment.
If you have questions, or need help completing the form, please contact the Provincial Grand Charity Steward directly.
A Message from the Provincial Grand Master
“Blood Bikes provide a remarkable service, delivered entirely by volunteers and free of charge to the NHS.
Having seen first-hand the difference they can make, I am immensely proud of the generosity shown by the Brethren of the Province.
More than £55,000 has been raised, enabling us to provide two Blood Bikes to support this vital service.
My sincere thanks go to every Brother and every Lodge who has contributed.
This is an achievement of which the Province can be justly proud.”