Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes has added four Dacia Jogger cars to its fleet.
The charity is using the cars to guarantee urgent deliveries of blood and other medical essentials when poor weather conditions make riding a motorbike too risky, and also to transport larger items or for longer distance deliveries.
The cars are also being used to take volunteers and equipment to fundraising events.
The Jogger is said to have been preferred to small vans the charity initially trialled due to offering more practicality and value for money.
Charity chair Jeremy Cartwright said: “Having cars on our fleet allows us to take on very long runs or to transport larger items as needed, but the primary use for the Jogger cars is to protect our service during bad weather.
“We take on increasing number of urgent or time critical jobs where the delivery is linked to a specific theatre operation – in the past if we were unable to send a bike due bad weather, the operation could be cancelled, now we just send a Jogger instead.
“SSCBB primarily undertake urgent or time critical jobs that cannot be done using the hospital’s regular transport. If we are not available, the hospital will try to book a specialist courier, a taxi or may even delay the related treatment, all very costly.
“Adding the Dacia Joggers to our fleet provides increased service flexibility and choice for our volunteers as well as saving the NHS more money.”
Dacia UK brand director Luke Broad said: “This charity does an absolutely incredible job of helping the NHS and the public. Their work is vital, and we are so pleased to see the Jogger playing such a key support role.
“Its space, practicality and durability make it perfect for its duties, as well as giving the charity the best value for money.”
