A VALUABLE courier service that supports patient care across the county has received a £100 boost from the team at Okehampton Hospital's maternity unit.

Barry Kerr-Wilson, a rider with the Devon Freewheelers, was at the hospital last week to collect the money, raised by a raffle organised by staff.

The charity transports urgently needed blood, tissue, drugs and other medical needs by motorcycle to hospitals and patients across the county.

Providing a service outside the hours of the regular transport services, the charity creates big financial savings for the NHS by delivering essential medical supplies.

Barry said: 'I cannot say how proud I am to be a rider for the Devon Freewheelers.

'When I first started, my first few jobs were in the wind and the rain, and I asked myself why I was doing this. Then I had two jobs. One was delivering drugs to an old gent at his home, who was crying in pain when I arrived at his doorstep, and was in great need of the drugs I was delivering.

'The other was visiting the home of a very sick little boy, again delivering drugs to their home. He was very ill and weak, but he really wanted to see the bike so we brought him outside, sat him on the bike, I let him put on the sirens and the lights, and he really enjoyed himself. His father said I had made his son's day. I told him that he had made my week.

'Things like that make it worthwhile. You realise that a bit of wind and rain is nothing compared to what the people you are helping are going through, and it makes me extremely proud to be part of this charity.'