More than £1,000 has been raised for ‘the blood bikers’ through a pop-up plant and veg stall.

At the beginning of lockdown, Veronica of Weycroft Nurseries planted vegetable seeds and received donations of seedlings from Waytown and Netherbury residents, which she grew and sold at a stall on the side of the road. Joshua, 12, and Charlie Harper, 9, who also live on the Waycroft site made posters and enjoyed helping with the homemade chutneys and picking blackberries.

The nursery is no longer operating but Veronica was surprised to learn the Devon Freewheelers - which transport blood, samples, medication and more for the NHS, 24 hours a day, seven days a week - didn’t get government funding.

To help with fundraising, the nursery received a donation of homemade wine to be given to the customer who took the donation over £1,000, and it turned out to be their local postman.

This has been donated to the Devon Freewheelers.

The stall is still going at the entrance to Waycroft Nurseries, selling plants, winter veg plants, homegrown vegetables and donations of homemade jam and chutney. Their new goal is £2,000. The bikers have also delivered a merchandise pack and they now have pens and lanyards to sell.

A spokesman said: “We are very grateful and proud of the support we have received from so many local residents and Devon Freewheelers has sent a certificate and letter of thanks for the donation and our efforts.”