We provide a Free 'Out of Hours' Transportation Service to the NHS and Hospices throughout Yorkshire

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Run by Passionate Volunteers

Despite many of our members having Full Time jobs, volunteers regularly give their spare time to help run and maintain what is a truly worthwhile charity -an organisation intent on making a difference to Health Organisations throughout Yorkshire.

Saving the NHS Money

We estimate that for each £1 received in donations to the Whiteknights, the NHS will save at least £5. Our volunteers provide the NHS and Hospices with an out of hours service which not only saves a substantial amount of money, but money that can be passed on to provide funding for more appropriate frontline patient care.

In need of an Emergency Delivery?

If you are an organisation who don’t yet have a Service Level Agreement in place with Whiteknights, but require emergency assistance, or for us to act as a relay with another Blood Bike Group, please either call our Emergency Dispatch Call Centre: Telephone: 01733 741948 & 0800 101 7800 or Call our Chairman, Andrew Foster Mobile: 07970 224420

What we do and why:

During normal working hours, the NHS and Charitable Health Organisations use their own transportation systems to move Blood, Plasma, Tissue Samples, Documentation and other vital supplies between Hospitals, Hospices and Supply Centres.

Out of hours these systems maybe limited, and reliance can fall upon private hire taxi companies, commercial couriers and in exceptional circumstances, hospitals may have used emergency services such as the Police or Ambulance services.

This is a huge cost to the NHS and Charitable Health Organisations and this is where the Whiteknights Service Provision comes into its own. Our volunteers provide an out of hours service which not only saves a substantial amount of money, but money that can be passed on to provide more appropriate frontline patient care. We estimate that for each £1 received in donations to the Whiteknights, the NHS will save at least £5.

We are just one of many Charitable Associations that provide a similar service around the United Kingdom and we are governed and overseen by the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes NABB who share our mission to provide reliable, free and high quality provision to NHS trusts and hospices throughout the UK.

Our service is Free of Charge and operates out of hours through the night, Monday to Thursday 7pm to 7am and Friday 7pm all the way through the weekend until 7am Monday morning. We operate a Full 24hr Service during Bank Holidays including the Festive Period (Christmas and Boxing Day) and New Year’s Day.

Despite many of our members having Full Time Jobs, our unpaid volunteers still give their spare time to help run and maintain what is a truly worthwhile charity, and an organization intent on making a real difference to the care of patients.

The Importance of Fundraising

Fundraising is an essential part to any charity.  We have a fleet of 7 bikes to continuously run and maintain, with an approximate cost of £5-6k per bike annually. Donations either large or small are always gratefully received. We have no staff or premises to fund – donations from the public go directly into providing the operational Blood Bike service.

Since the charity was created in 2008, we have seen significant growth to our service with major NHS Foundation Trusts and Hospices realising the huge benefit of the service we provide in the Yorkshire Region.

Our mission is to further develop the service we provide and to maintain a professional and reliable ‘out of hours service’. We believe we can fundamentally aid and assist the overstretched NHS in Yorkshire. This is a huge undertaking for our charity as we rely solely on the huge generosity of the general public and local businesses that support us.

We continually strive to find new ways of improving the service to our customers and even the way we raise the funds to support and run it. We therefore are always looking for suggestions or innovative ideas.

Why not become an official fundraising partner for Whiteknights and acheive the status of “Whiteknights Angels…”

08

Jan

Whiteknights announce 2024 statistics…

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes publish their total statistics for 2024 – the year in which we were the only Blood Bike charity to achieve The King’s Award For Voluntary Service.

We remain on operational duty even through the recent snow and ice conditions. Our remarkable volunteers have adapted well to this and are taking extra care. The safey of our volunteers and the  safety of the Blood Samples we transport is our priority at times like this.

It’s fair to say that this year our overall totals are slightly lower than 2023. We remain a flexible and adaptable service – there to respond to the needs of hospitals and hospices only when they have an urgent delivery requirement.

However in other areas there has been an increase. The collection and delivery of consignments of Donated Breast Milk increases from 32 to 96 deliveries in 2024. So too did the delivery of items from Pharmacy to hospices and patient’s homes – from 971 to 1104.

Having covered over 90,000 miles during 2024 – we are pleased to be able to contribute alongside other neighbouring Blood Bike charities by participating in 146 national relays. That has more than doubled from the 2023 figure of 64 relays.

We would like to thank all our friends and supporters who have financially contributed to support the work of our charity during the year. Together we believe we saved the NHS £155,736. Thank you most sincerely. We hope you appreciate just how much we are able to achieve with the limited fundraising capacity we currently have.

We would love to hear from people who would like to volunteer their time to support us – perhaps by attending fundraising opportunities. Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes remains a modest, highly committed group of volunteers, who currently number approximately 60 people across the whole of Yorkshire. 

Contact us through our Facebook Page or email: info@whiteknights.org.uk

So please, continue your encouragement and support during 2025 we really appreciate it.

Donations in 2025 can be made through our Just Giving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/whiteknightsyorkshire-bloodbikes

Thank You!

15

Nov

South Yorkshire Whiteknights Celebrate…

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

Here they are members of the South Yorkshire Team, pictured outside Laboratory Medicine at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.

Well done to all the South Yorshire Riders for being awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Pictured holding the presentation frame is South Yorkshire Manager, Roy Clark alongside Dean Tazzyman Laboratrory Manager, Northern General Hospitalm Sheffield

15

Nov

North Yorkshire Team celebrate KAVS…

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

Whiteknights North Yorkshire Team celebrate The Kings Award For Voluntary Service at York Hospital.Well done guys.

15

Nov

Raise a glass to celebrate…

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

Whiteknights Advanced-Qualified Volunteer Riders raise a glass in celebration of being awarded the Kings Award For Voluntary Service.

Well done guys!

15

Nov

Whiteknights display their King’s Award….

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes have been meeting today at Calderdale Royal Hospital to announce to the public our Kings Award For Voluntay Service.

Here the Chairman, Andrew Foster is joined by representatives of Pathology and the Milk Bank

14

Nov

Yorkshire Bikers receive award from the King….

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes are delighted to announce they are to be awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Service.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (previously Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service) is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups, being equivalent to the MBE.

The prestigious award recognises exceptional work done by volunteer groups in their communities.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes provide a free of charge, out of hours urgent transportation service by volunteer motorcyclists.

We urgently transport – within one hour, Blood and Pathology Specimen Samples, Controlled medications, Donated Breast Milk for Special Care Baby Units and other vital supplies for Hospitals and Hospices throughout Yorkshire

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bike Chairman of Trustees, Andrew Foster said, “Since the creation of our Charity in 2008, we have grown to having 60 volunteer bikers and several operational Blood Bikes. Three volunteers are on duty every day of the year to serve hospitals in North, South and West Yorkshire.

“We now respond to over 3000 call-outs every year and also participate in national relays with other neighbouring Blood Bike Groups.

“We are delighted to receive this prestigious award – all our Whiteknights’ volunteer riders, past and present should be extremely proud of what our small charity has achieved.”

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes was one of the 5 founding groups of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bike charities, which now has 36 member groups.

03

Nov

Former Lord Mayor of Leeds donates for new Blood Bike…

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

A former Lord Mayor of Leeds has kick-started a campaign to replace a Leeds charity’s Blood Bike after it was severely damaged in a public car park.

Mr Keith Loudon, Lord Mayor of Leeds from 1993-1994, has donated £5000 to Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, a West Yorkshire charity that provide urgent deliveries of blood samples, donated breast milk and vital medical supplies by volunteer motorcyclists.

In recognition of his donation and support, Mr Loudon received a fundraising award from the Yorkshire Blood Bike charity.

Speaking at the presentation Mr Loudon said: “The volunteer riders of Whiteknights provide an out-of-hours delivery service between hospitals and hospices. Many people are not aware of the vital service they provide during the night and at weekends. Their charity is run entirely on donations.

 “It is such a shame that their ability to provide the service, which is totally free of charge to the NHS  – has been thwarted by an out of control car smashing into their blood bike. I believe it is of considerable importance that this voluntary Blood Bike motorcycle be replaced as a matter of urgency,” said Mr Loudon.

 North Yorkshire Regional Manager for Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, Andy Richardson said of the donation: “We’re thrilled to receive the recognition and support for our voluntary service by Mr Loudon. Today we’ve awarded him our highest accolade, to become a Whiteknights’ Champion.”

“Our voluntary service is continuing to operate to support the care of patients in Leeds, but we are finding it a uphill challenge now that we have one less blood bike in our area.”

Members of the public can donate towards replacing the Blood Bike through the Whiteknights’ Just Giving page use the link below.

https://www.justgiving.com/whiteknightsyorkshire-bloodbikes

Pictured are Whiteknights Volunteer Riders Andy Richardson and John Driscoll alongside Mr Loudon.

01

Nov

Blood Bike Destroyed In Car Park Crash…

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes regret to announce that one of our much needed operational service bikes has been destroyed by an out of control car.

The Yamaha FJR1300, one of a national cohort of specially tested and Type Approved Official Blood Bikes, was discovered in pieces and crushed against a brick wall in a public car park in Yorkshire.

The bike was parked up whilst the Whitenights Volunteer Rider was taking a break between jobs during his 12 hour operational shift.

North Yorkshire Regional Manager for Whiteknights, Andy Richardson said:

“It is such a shame to lose one of our Blood Bikes in this way. We try so hard to really care for the all the bikes in our fleet, which are purchased and operated entirely by donations from the public.

“We have three motorcycles on duty every night of the year throughout Yorkshire. Many of a our fleet of motorcycles cover high mileages and several are over five years old – but they really do provide a vitally important service transporting urgent blood samples, breast milk and medications for patients.

“Our voluntary service is continuing to operate to support the care of patients in the Leeds area, but we are finding it a uphill challenge now that we have one less blood bike to use. We are really going to miss it.”

Its remains unclear what exactly happened to the bike – but it received damage to it’s frame, fairing and forks – almost as if a car had driven over it.

Andy added: “It’s now down to our excellent friends and supporters in the public to be generous and donate whatever they can, no matter how small to help us put another much needed Yorkshire Blood Bike into operational life again.”

People can donate through their website: www,whiteknights.org.uk or by using the official Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes Just Giving Page :   https://www.justgiving.com/whiteknightsyorkshire-bloodbikes

16

Oct

Blood Bike gets a winter coat….

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes would like to express our sincere appreciation to a local member of the Yorkshire motorcycle industry.

Simon Scholey of www.spsmotorbikedetailing.co.uk has recognised the vital importance of the work of our charity and wanted to make a significant contribution to support what we do.

Simon has provided The Widows Sons Blood Bike with with a remarkable transformation. Having now covered almost 24,000 of operational service, the bike has been deployed in all weather conditions in the North Yorkshire and Leeds areas.

Simon at SPS Motorbike Detailing has provided a thorough deep-clean and then has Ceramic Coated the motorcycle to protect it against whatever the weather throws at it this winter.

Following the extensive detailing and Ceramic treatment, The Widows Sons Blood Bike looks as good as new again.

We are absolutely thrilled that someone should take such care and attention to support our fleet and to do so completely free of charge.

Thanks again Simon – you’ve worked wonders.

For more information about SPS Motorbike Detailing use the links or visit: www.spsmotorbikedetailing.co.uk http://www.spsmotorbikedetailing.co.uk

Pictured are Simon from SPS and Whiteknights’ Advanced-Qualified Volunteer Rider, Mike Harrison, taking the bike back into service following its ceramic treatment.

02

Sep

In memory of Maurice Greenwood.

Posted by Matthew Beynon-Tullet

It is with great sadness that Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes announce the death of Whiteknight, Maurice Greenwood.

He was a dedicated Blood Biker and motorcyclist who made a substantial contribution to the work of our charity.

We express our sincere condolences to Maurice’s family at this time.

He will be greatly missed.

Do you want to become a Rider or Driver with Whiteknights?

Riders and drivers are the lifeblood of our organisation, without them we couldn't exist. We are always keen to hear from new prospective riders or drivers. However, before contacting us, we request that you confirm that you fulfil the following essential requirements in order to ride or drive for us:

  • Aged over 30
  • No more than 6 penalty points on your licence
  • Full motorcycle / driving licence (as applicable)
  • Advanced IAM / RoSPA / Police qualification for car or motorcycle (as applicable)
  • Live within 8-10 miles of the locations we serve (See below)
  • Willing to work as a volunteer on a set shift pattern over 3-4 day periods covering overnight (7pm to 7am), and weekends / Bank Holidays for 24hr periods

    • Additional Information:
  • Shifts are agreed on a monthly basis with the area manager and other riders.
  • Motorcyclists will need to provide suitable motorcycle riding equipment: Boots, Trousers, Jacket including 'High Viz' Overjacket marked 'BLOOD', Gloves and plain white Bluetooth helmet. We have preferential rates on certain items of clothing.
Which areas do Whiteknights cover?

We have teams in West, South, North and Mid Yorkshire. To ensure that we can respond quickly to urgent callouts, we would ask that you live within about 8-10 miles of the following areas;

  • West: Halifax / Huddersfield
  • North: York Hospital
  • South: Sheffield General Hospital
  • Mid: Wakefield / Leeds
Where are Riders / Drivers needed?

We need both riders and drivers, which will depend on your area.

  • We use motorcycles to cover the hospitals and other locations within West, North and South Yorkshire
  • We have cars covering the Mid Yorkshire region, to cover regular runs to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance
I am not an advanced Rider / Driver. Where can I get the necessary training?

For both cars and motorcycles, we recognise both the IAM and RoSPA Advanced qualifications. There are local groups across the region to choose from. These include:

RoSPA / RoADAR Groups

West Yorkshire RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders (Cars and Motorcycles)

RoSPA / RoADAR Groups

West Yorkshire RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders (Cars and Motorcycles)

North Yorkshire Advanced Riders (Motorcycles Only)

South Yorkshire Advanced Drivers (Cars only)

IAM Groups

York Advanced Motorcyclists (Motorcycles Only)

York Advanced Motorists

Sheffield IAM (cars Only)

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists (Motorcycles Only)

Rotherham Advanced Motorcyclists (Motorcycles Only)

Huddersfield Advanced Motorists (Cars Only)

West Yorkshire Advanced Motorcyclists (Motorcycles Only)

How much does Advanced Training cost?

This varies depending on the route you take, and the local group you join. Whilst the below offers a guide to the likely costs, please check with your local group in case there are any changes.


    IAM
  • You can buy the Advanced Driver Course or Advanced Ride Course for £149. This covers the test fee and your first year's membership. More information can be found here: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/membership/become-a-member
  • IAM offer a discount of £15 if you contact them and advise them you are going to ride for a NABB member group
  • There is then an annual membership fee of £32.50. This is in addition to any membership of your local group.

    • RoSPA/RoADAR
  • The cost of the advanced driving test in a car for drivers 25 years and under is £55.00 inc VAT. For drivers 26 years and over it is £60.00 inc VAT
  • The cost of the advanced riding test for riders 25 years and younger is £56.00 inc VAT. For riders 26 years and over it is £66.00 inc VAT
  • Your first years' membership is included within your initial test fee. Each following year's annual subscription will be £28.00
  • These subscription fees are separate from any subscription fees to local RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders Groups

To keep your RoSPA / RoADAR membership current, you will need to take a 3 yearly re-test. The re-test fee is included in your yearly subscription costs, so there is no extra cost as long as your subscription is kept up to date.

info@whiteknights.org.uk | Tel: 07970 224420 | Registered Charity No. 1124510

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, Hamnett House, Gibbet Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 0AX