For the past ten years, John Stepney has spent his nights and holidays delivering blood, breast milk, vaccines, medical equipment, test results, and other vital materials to hospitals in England. But he doesn't drive an ambulance or a car … he makes his deliveries by motorcycle. Stepney does all this as a volunteer, through the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes (NABB).

"If you're going to go for a ride anyway, then why not give something back to the community at the same time?" says Stepney, 57, an avid motorcyclist who is also the chairman of Buckinghamshire-based NABB.

Thanks to their rising public profile—spurred by a recent "Point of Light" Award from the prime minister—the NABB has won a series of legislative victories that