The essential work of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes outside of that of our COVID19 response continued this week as Whiteknights Volunteer, Laurence Turner, participated in an urgent national relay to convey a Faecal Matter Transplant in the fight against Clostridium Difficile in seriously ill patients.

Heading out into the blizzard conditions at Scotch Corner, Laurence transferred the consignment to Terry from our neighbouring Blood Bike Group, Blood Run EVS, for its onward journey.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes gratefully announce the start of receiving the COVID19 vaccination for frontline clinical personnel.

This evening at Calderdale Royal Hospital, Advanced Qualified Volunteer Riders received their first injection of the vaccine.

Pictured is Whiteknight’s West Yorkshire Regional Manager, Andy Dickens being the first Blood Biker in the charity to receive the vaccine.

Since New Year’s Eve, Whiteknights West Yorkshire have already responded to 50 call-outs to urgently transport Blood Specimens for testing between hospitals and hospices in the region.

Official release from Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes Communications.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes have received a vitally needed gift donation in time for Christmas to support their free-of-charge transportation service to hospitals and hospices in the region.

West Yorkshire Advanced Motorcyclists, a member group of IAM Roadsmart, presented a cheque for £1200 at Overgate Hospice to support the ongoing voluntary work of the Yorkshire Blood Bike Charity.

Neil Clarkson of WYAMs commented: “Not only do we train Advanced Motorcyclists who go on to volunteer for Whiteknights, but we understand the financial pressure the lack of fundraising this year has caused Whiteknights.

It’s a fantastic charity that benefits patients and we are delighted to have spent the entire year fundraising for them.”

Pictured are Becki Marren, Business Partnerships Manager of Overgate Hospice, Whiteknights’ West Yorkshire Regional Manager, Andy Dickens and Neil Clarkson of WYAMs,

New Year… New Challenge

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes North Yorkshire are now recruiting new riders for 2021. Check out our latest recruitment video on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/yorkshirebloodbikes

If you’ve got what it takes to be an on-call Blood Biker and would like to join a team of dedicated volunteers, then we would like to hear from you.

Message us through Facebook or email: info@whiteknights.org.uk for further information.

Volunteer motorcyclists carry 800 free-of-charge journeys to transport blood samples since the start of the first lockdown.

As the temporary Phlebotomy Testing site at the Sheffield Arena relocates and the involvement of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes comes to a close, the Yorkshire Blood Bike charity announce a grand total of 800 voluntary journeys transporting blood samples to Sheffield hospitals.

Whiteknights South Yorkshire Regional Manager, Roy Clark commented:

“It’s been a real privilege to support Sheffield patients and Sheffield Hospitals by transporting blood samples every hour free-of-charge to the NHS.

“Our volunteers have been so enthusiastic and have shown a great deal of commitment to provide this transportation service on a daily basis since the temporary site at the Arena opened earlier this year.

“We’ve had such positive feedback from Clinical staff saying how reliable and rapid our blood bike service has been and has really contributed to the speed in which patients could receive their blood test results.”

South Yorkshire Whiteknights will now focus on their usual out-of-hours service, overnight and 24 hours at weekends.

Pictured on their final shift transporting blood samples from the Arena are Whiteknights Volunteer bikers, Mark Llewellyn and South Yorkshire Regional Manager,Roy Clark.

In this short video, Shadow Minister for the Voluntary Sector & Charities, Rachael Maskell MP, visits St Leonards Hospice, York – to see the collaboration between Hospice colleagues and the volunteers of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes North Yorkshire are again now providing a 24/7 service during national lockdown. This is an increase of service provision above the Out-of-hours evenings and weekend duties normally undertaken.

A York Member of Parliament has commended a North Yorkshire voluntary charity for the way it has been collaborating to support St Leonard’s Hospice in York during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Rachael Maskell MP, the Shadow Minister for the Voluntary Sector and Charities visited St Leonards Hospice, meeting nursing staff and volunteer motorcyclists from Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.

“I’ve come to see the work of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes in the way they serve St Leonard’s by transporting samples and supplies around the city and beyond to back-up the NHS and other health providers at this really crucial time.

“Over the last several months, we’ve seen how people have stepped up in order to support their communities. The more people who come forward to volunteer, it really does help support all of those activities, and of course charities themselves need support at this time as well.

“It’s incredible to think that people give up their time to do that and to provide that essential support at a time when we really need it – I’m so grateful for the organisation for being there.”

Emma Johnson, Chief Executive at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “We really value the support from Whiteknights, who we frequently call upon at night and during weekends to transport medical items and supplies for us. The volunteers have been invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you to all of them on behalf of our clinical team and our patients.”

“During the summer we have been able to recruit a small number of volunteers to further strengthen our dedicated team of volunteer Advanced-Qualified motorcyclists. They all say how rewarding they find volunteering with us.”

North Yorkshire Regional Manager for Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, Dave Dickinson also announced to the MP for York Central: “Now the second lockdown has returned, Whiteknights North Yorkshire are again returning to a 24/7 operational service, to support the NHS and hospices in our area. This increases our availability on top of the Out-Of-Hours, overnight and weekend service we provide free-of-charge.”

Pictured alongside nursing colleagues from St Leonards Hospice is Rachael Maskell MP, with North Yorkshire Regional Manager, Dave Dickinson and volunteer rider, Gary Parkinson of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.

O

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes North Yorkshire Regional Team today attended the “Ride Retro 2020” from Stamford Bridge to Yorks Minster. Thanks to Sean and Regional Manager, Dave for providing a lead-out escort to the custom, classics and scooters en-route.

Pictured outside York Minster are event organisers Paul and Nick, with WKYBB’s Dave Dickinson, and special guest, WWii, York Normandy Veteran, Ken Cook.Watch this space as a short video about the special day goes live later tonight.

Thank you to donations from the public and the biker and scooter community for raising £148 for Whiteknights this weekend in North Yorkshire.

National Blood Bike Awareness Day – Friday 14^th August 2020

A volunteer Blood Biker from Haxby has been given a Service Award in recognition of his support for the, “Free to the NHS”, urgent transportation service, during the height of the pandemic outbreak.

Advanced-Qualified motorcyclist, John Coe, has spent countless hours voluntarily transporting blood samples and medication from Hospices and Hospitals in and around the York area.

John volunteers with Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, an independent Blood Bike Charity.

Whiteknights’ North Yorkshire Manager, David Dickinson speaking on National Blood Bike Awareness Day – 14^th August said:

“During the height of the pandemic outbreak, Whiteknights became a 24/7 voluntary service in addition to the usual, “Out of Hours” transportation service we provide to the NHS free of Charge overnight and at weekends.

“During this time, not only did John provide countless hours of service, I felt he went above and beyond, by stepping in and supporting other volunteers who were also on operational duties for Whiteknights. John also helped with other areas of the service like taking motorcycles for vital maintenance during lockdown. I wanted to recognize his commitment and enthusiasm – especially as the theme of National Blood Bike Day this year is, “Rising to the Challenge,” something which John has embodied.”

Pictured receiving his award, John said: “I’m speechless and taken by surprise to receive such an award. During the pandemic, being part of a voluntary Blood Bike team has been very rewarding – we had a job to do for North Yorkshire Patients and I feel very proud to in some way have helped the NHS during this challenging time.”