A MOTORBIKE rider from West Devon is hitting the road delivering vital PPE to frontline Marie Curie Nurses across Devon on his pride and joy — his bright green Kawasaki 650 motorbike.

Richard, 49, is married to Marie Curie senior nurse Emma Wiseman, who is part of a team of Marie Curie nurses and healthcare assistants who provide essential end of life care in people’s homes across North and Mid Devon.

They are on the frontline caring for patients both with and without coronavirus, yet struggle to get the PPE they need, at the right time, and in the right place — in order to provide care and support to their patients.

For the past four weeks, Richard, who lives with his wife near Hatherleigh, has been making 150-mile round trips delivering some of the 14,500 pieces of PPE Marie Curie nurses in Devon need each week, including facemasks, gloves, goggles, aprons, visors and hand sanitisers.

 Emma said: ‘I’m really proud and grateful for Rich stepping up to help us. My team are scattered across North Devon, Exmoor and Mid Devon so he’s notching up some serious miles. Mind you with the sunny weather and an excuse to get out on his bike, he’s loving it. And somehow he decided that he needed new biking PPE to deliver PPE and treated himself to a lovely pair of new bike boots!’

Marie Curie helps people with any terminal illness. Across Devon the charity provides over 50,000 hours of expert end of life care each year with its highly skilled and compassionate team of nurses and healthcare assistants paying home visits to patients. 

The charity also supports those affected by terminal illness and bereavement on a support line manned by a team seven days a week who offer both practical information and emotional support. Call free 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/coronavirus