OKEHAMPTON Lions members are among those who have helped to raise £2,800 for emergency courier charity Devon Freewheelers. The total was raised by a group of Lions Clubs called 'Zone H', comprising Okehampton and District, Crediton, Tiverton, Exeter and Exeter West. The presentation was made to the charity's operations director, Terry Hawkins. 'We are really grateful to the Lions Clubs of Zone H for this substantial donation,' said Mr Hawkins. 'Funding is essential, without it the charity simply would not be able to operate. We don't receive funding from any other source and rely solely on public donations, so every single penny counts.' Devon Freewheelers provide an out of hours lifesaving service to the NHS free of charge, funded entirely by public donation and sponsorship to raise the £130,000 needed to keep the service on the road. The couriers transport blood, pathology and microbiology specimens, patient notes, X-rays, breast milk, and other medical supplies. The team of volunteers attends around 4,500 callouts each year, travelling 100,000 miles in most weather conditions. If the service did not exist, hospitals would need to pay for taxis or commercial couriers.  To find out more about Lions Clubs, contact 0121 441 4544, and to support Devon Freewheelers visit bloodbikes.org