British EMS charity North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) have carried blood on board Helimed 72, their doctor-led aircraft, bringing lifesaving blood transfusions to patients across the region sine 2019. In early October, the charity has expanded the service by introducing blood on board to all of their vehicles, including their three Airbus EC135 helicopters and their four critical care cars. NWAA is indebted to their partners Greater Manchester Blood Bikes and Salford Royal Hospital, both of which have been instrumental in making this expansion possible for patients throughout the North West of the UK.

Greater Manchester Blood Bikes is a charity set up in 2012 and in the last five years have averaged close on 3000 jobs per annum. In September 2024 they had a record breaking month with 397 jobs completed – typically they transport blood, plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, donor breast milk and any other urgently required medical items to hospitals and healthcare sites. They have been working with North West Air Ambulance now for 5 years

North West Blood Bikes – Lancs & Lakes is another similar charity in the adjacent region and have also been part of this effort, particularly with NWAA’s base at Blackpool