Author: Matthew Beynon-Tullet

West Yorkshire Mark Master Masons Launch New Blood Bike…

The Yorkshire Blood Bike charity, Whiteknights, has launched its newest Blood Bike into service. 

The keys to this latest addition to their fleet of volunteer- ridden Blood Bikes were presented at this year’s Annual Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting of the Mark Master Masons of West Yorkshire, held at Bradford Grammar School. 

The Honda NT1100 motorcycle will make urgent deliveries at night and at weekends, free of charge to hospitals and hospices throughout West Yorkshire.

Speaking at the launch, Provincial Grand Master, Trevor Bolton said:

“We’re delighted to see this much needed Blood Bike go into service today to benefit the care and treatment of local patients in our community. 

“The bike was purchased through the national Mark Mason Benevolent Fund which donated £750,000 to the 36 Blood Bike Charities across the country- enabling their fleet of vehicles to be updated and replaced.

“The Whiteknights’ fleet of Blood Bikes and response cars travel in excess of 90,000 miles on Yorkshire roads each year. I have no doubt this new motorcycle will be instrumental in supporting the NHS and saving lives,” said Trevor.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes transport urgent Blood specimens; medications donated breast milk and vital supplies.

They have 50 volunteer motorcyclists who willingly ride through the night and at weekends to provide the service. The Blood Bike charity, which responded to 3000 call-outs last year, recently received the MBE for Voluntary Groups – The Kings Award For Voluntary Service.

Regional Manager for Whiteknights West Yorkshire, Matthew Butterfield said: “We’re delighted to have received this new bike. The demand for our service is continuing to expand which has placed additional pressure on our fleet of motorcycles. The Masons have historically been long-time supporters of our charity and all that we aim to achieve. It’s hugely appreciated to receive this recognition of our urgent voluntary service.

Pictured left to right : Asst Provincial Grand Master, Philip Oldfield, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Andrew Brown, Whiteknights Community Liaison, Chris Parker, Asst Provincial Grand Master, Gary Parker  and Provincial Grand Master Trevor Bolton.

A Tasty Treat for Whiteknights..

Its saucepans at the ready as the ladies from Addingham Methodist Friendship Group have been cooking pancakes in aid of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.

We are delighted to announce that their culinary creations raised £900 in aid of the Yorkshire Blood Bike charity. That’s a tremendous result that we really appreciate.

Pictured are Rev Shannon Delaureal, Fiona Walton, Whiteknight Colin Barnes and Margaret Norris.

New Portal for Customers…

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes have announced their new Customer Portal is ready for service.

The REACT Customer Portal will enable customers to log directly into the Whiteknights dispatch system to request Blood Bike delivery services.

The new system, which replaces their Call Centre facility can be accessed at: react.whiteknights.org.uk

Whiteknights have today also released a training video instructing how to use the Customer Portal.

Former Leeds Lord Mayor launches Blood Bike into service…

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bike have today unveiled the latest addition to their Blood Bike Motorcycle Fleet.

Former Leeds Lord Mayor, Mr Keith Loudon OBE, handed over the keys to the Honda motorcycle to Advanced-Qualified Volunteer Whiteknights Rider, John Driscoll.

Mr Loudon, who named the bike in memory of his late wife and former Leeds Lord Mayor’s Consort, Betty Loudon, said that she would have been thrilled to be commemorated in this way.

“Betty was very supportive of my business and community activities. She was excellent at taking an interest in the people of Leeds and was very approachable,” said Mr Loudon – who served with Leeds City Council for over forty years.

“Whiteknights first came to my attention when I learned that one of their blood bikes had been severely damaged in a accident. This resulted in their volunteers being without a motorcycle to conduct their urgent deliveries for the NHS – which they do completely free of charge overnight and at weekends.

“It has been my pleasure to donate towards the cost of replacing a bike for this West Yorkshire Charity. To see the bike in its reflective livery out on the roads of Leeds serving local people is absolutely marvellous.

”The Chairman of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, Andrew Foster added: ‘We are extremely grateful for Mr Loudon’s support and generosity. Our fleet of Blood Bikes cover thousands of miles annually and we operate entirely on donations from the public.

“The Betty Loudon Blood Bike is now operational serving hospitals and hospices in the Leeds and York area.”

Pictured at the key handover is John Driscoll and Keith Loudon OBE.

Keith Loudon OBE with the Betty Blood Bike

All reactions:11

Hillards Trust fund reflective safety livery…

The Yorkshire Blood Bike charity, Whiteknights, has announced its latest Blood Bike will be adorned with reflective, high-visibility livery thanks to a Yorkshire based grant-making Charitable Trust.

Gay and Peter Hartley’s Hillards Charitable Trust has donated £1000 to equip the voluntary service Blood Bike before it is launched into service later this month.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes transport urgent Blood specimens, medications and donated breast milk completely free of charge to hospitals and hospitals across Yorkshire.

They have 50 volunteer motorcyclists who willingly ride through the night and at weekends to provide the service. Earlier this year, the charity, which responded to 3000 call-outs last year, received the MBE for Voluntary Groups – The 2024 Kings Award For Voluntary Service.

Regional Manager for Whiteknights West Yorkshire, Matthew Butterfield said: “We’re delighted to receive this donation from the Hillards Trust. High-visibility reflective livery on our small fleet of Blood Bike is essential for the operational safety of our volunteers and of the urgent items we transport.

“The livery will be added to a motorcycle which has been generously donated by a member of the public. We appreciate every gesture of giving we receive to enable our charity to support the care and treatment of patients in our region.

“Today we have presented the Hillards Charitable Trust with a Whiteknights Champions Award in recognition of their much needed support.”

Pictured are Whiteknights volunteer rider, Colin Barnes, Hillards Trust Secretary, Helena Wyles, and Whiteknights’ Manager, Matthew Butterfield.

Halifax Financial Planners launch new car for Voluntary Service.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes has unveiled a new car to transport urgent blood and pathology samples, medication and donated breast milk around the region.

The Halifax-based charity, which received the Kings Award For Voluntary Service earlier this year, has 25 volunteer Blood Bike Riders in West Yorkshire who will now use the car in adverse weather conditions or when larger consignments require urgent delivery.

The new Dacia car has been jointly purchased by Halifax Financial Planners, Investing For Tomorrow. It’s Director, Toby Turner said at the unveiling; “ We’re delighted to see the car, now in its reflective livery, launched into service.

“Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes travel thousands of miles annually across the region making urgent deliveries during the night and at weekends. This is done at no charge or cost to the NHS.

“It’s a remarkable service run entirely by volunteers to benefit hospital and hospice patients. We’re thrilled that the car we jointly purchased, will support their work in the community for years to come.”

West Yorkshire Regional Manager for Whiteknights, Matthew Butterfield added:

“We really appreciate the level of support we have received from Investing For Tomorrow.

Not only have we previously received sponsorship for a Blood Bike motorcycle, but it’s the on-going understanding of the service we provide that our charity values too.

“We are not funded in any way by the NHS – which is a common misconception. So its excellent to receive recognition and support from a local Halifax business.”

At the unveiling it was announced the car is to be named in remembrance of a former Whiteknights West Yorkshire volunteer rider, Maurice Greenwood.

Pictured: from Investing For Tomorrow, Callum Mulready, Naomi Grierson, Toby Turner, Laurence Turner and Matthew Butterfield from Whiteknights.

Widows Sons Lodge support their sponsored Blood Bike…

Members of the Widows Sons Masonic Biker Lodge have announced their continued sponsorship of the official Widows Sons Lodge Blood Bike.

Ian Gregson, Worshipful Master of the Widows Sons Lodge in the Province of Yorkshire North and East Riding, presented another donation of £3000 to Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes Advanced Qualified Rider, John Driscoll.

Ian said, “We are extremely proud of the service to patients that the Widows Sons Blood Bike delivers in the North Yorkshire area. This will be the third donation we have made to support the motorcycle.

We are also delighted with the news that Whiteknights have been awarded the Kings Award For Voluntary Service. It’s very much deserved, the volunteers do a remarkable job 365 days a year.”

John presented Ian with a Whiteknights Champions certificate to recognise their fundraising contributions to the Yorkshire Blood Bike charity.

Every Little helps….

Thank you to colleagues & customers at Tesco Store Brighouse for presenting Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes with £384 raised through charitable book sales.
We appreciate all the support we receive in the West Yorkshire community.

Award from King Charles received…

On Friday evening Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes were presented with our Kings Award For Voluntary Service – the MBE for Voluntary Groups.

HM Lord-Lieutenant For West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson CBE presented the Award with a hand-signed certificate from King Charles III to our Chairman, Andrew Foster.Other guest dignitaries attending were two Deputy Lieutenants, The High Sheriff of West Yorkshire and the Mayor of Calderdale.

Thank you to Birties Events in Elland for excellent hospitality.

Dewsbury Rockers MC receive Blood Bike fundraising award…

Members of the Dewsbury Rockers Motorcycle Club have become “Whiteknights Angels” in recognition of their fundraising.

The Yorkshire Blood Bike charity, Whiteknights presented the fundraising award to Paul Morley and Catherine Foster.

West Yorkshire Manager for Whiteknights, Matthew Butterfield said: “After more than a year of fundraising, we very much appreciate the donation of £500 to support our voluntary service. They really deserve the award.”

Pictured from Whiteknights are Matthew Butterfield and Laurence Turner alongside Paul and Catherine from Dewsbury Rockers Motorcycle club.