TWO new ambassadors will fly the flag for an out-of-hours blood transportation service from the start of the New Year.

The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, which is the umbrella organisation of the Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers (SERV) Wessex, has appointed Maria Costello and Holby City's Amanda Mealing as the new ambassadors.

The voluntary service transports blood products and other urgent documents and samples to hospitals in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire during the night, allowing hospitals the opportunity to use their resources elsewhere.

Maria was made an MBE in 2009 for her services to motorcycling.

She said: “Without the work of the Blood Bike charities, hospitals would have to pay couriers and taxis to transport urgent products out-of-hours.

“These amazing volunteers provide a rapid response courier service transporting hospital deliveries across the country.

“But what’s most extraordinary is that very few patients actually know that a Blood Biker has been involved in their care.”