Blood Bikes Cumbria has received a £3,000 donation from Persimmon Homes.

The national housebuilder handed over the cheque to the emergency transport service charity after it applied for funding through the company's Community Champions initiative.

This initiative supports charities and community groups by awarding them between £1,000 and £6,000.

Blood Bikes Cumbria provides the free out-of-hours service for the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The charity delivers blood and urgent items to locations in Cumbria and beyond.

The new funding will be used to update the vehicle-mounted camera monitoring system across the charity's fleet of vehicles.

Jim White, Blood Bikes Cumbria chairman, said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this very generous donation from Persimmon Homes.

"We rely entirely on donations to keep our vital lifesaving out of hours medical courier service running throughout Cumbria 365 days a year.

"This year, our 10th anniversary year, we would like to consider a refresh of some of our now aging vital safety equipment.

"An update of our vehicle mounted camera monitoring systems across the fleet will enable us to continue to review and enhance our operating standards, and also assist with vital road safety incident management."

Anthony Mansfield, regional managing director at Persimmon, said: "It was great to meet some of the team at Blood Bikes Cumbria and I am delighted we can support them through our Community Champions initiative.

"The crucial work their team provides for 365 days a year, not only saves lives but also has a hugely positive impact on families and communities across Cumbria.

"I wish them every success in their future efforts."