An Amman Valley man who has donated 100 units of blood and platelets has gone a step further to help a vital cause.

Dean Cherrington, of Glanaman, originally began donating blood after following in his Aunt Karen’s footsteps and even planned his own honeymoon around his donation date so he was still able to do the good deed.

The lorry driver has recently become a volunteer for Blood Bike Wales and wants to spread the word about the charitable organisation.

Blood Bikes Wales operates a completely free motorcycle courier service to the NHS across Wales covering from Anglesey in the North to Newport and the borders in the South.

“I decided to become a blood biker as way to go an extra step further help others,” said Dean, 34.

“I think more people need to know about the charity and the free service that we give to the NHS by helping them move vital supplies between hospitals.

“This includes moving blood samples, blood, medication and notes, pre-natal donor baby milk and chemotherapy medications and more.

“The service is carried out by volunteer riders who give up their spare time to ensure the bikes are run whenever and wherever needed.

“We have a massive team behind us of dispatch controllers who are also volunteers to mechanics who help repair the bikes.

“We are funded by donations that all riders, controllers and Blood Bike members collect at events and various open days/evenings.

“The general public don't know that they fund this service to help so many people around the UK.

“As a blood biker, we have to follow the driving laws like other motorists.

“We don’t have any blue lights so it’s worth the public knowing this as they may now let us through if they see a blood biker in a queue of traffic.

“My wife is a controller and we’ve also been out collecting so we like to do out bit for the charity.

“When we finish a shift we always feel a sense of achievement.”

To date the Blood Bikes Wales has saved the NHS in Wales over a £1 million with one health authority alone spending £250,000 on taxis and couriers prior to the charity offering their free service.

A spokesperson said: “Our riders covered 250,000 miles in between April 2017 and April 2018.

“We are totally dependent on the generosity of the public to financially support the charities work, along with donations from business and small groups.

“We’re all volunteers with no one within the charity drawing a salary, giving of our time and effort for free.”

The next collection event takes place at ASDA Llansamlet, Swansea from 10am until 4pm on December 8 and 9.

To find out more information about the charity or to become a volunteer, you can visit Blood Bikes Wales on Facebook.

If you would like to start your own lifesaving journey, visit welshblood.org.uk or call 0800 252 266 to give blood, platelets or bone marrow.