Former Lord Mayor of Leeds donates for new Blood Bike…

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.

Blood Bike Destroyed In Car Park Crash…

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 maybe 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 is 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

Blood Bike gets a winter coat….

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 24000 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.

In memory of Maurice Greenwood.

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.

Blood Biker For A Day visits CRH Pathology Laboratory…

Her time as a, Blood Biker For A Day, is now coming to a close. It’s been a packed itinerary.

High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, Prof. Adeeba Malik has arrived at the one department where Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes deploy volunteers most frequently.

She is receiving a guided tour in Pathology by Calderdale Royal Hospital’s Senior Bio Medical Scientist, Micheal Pearson.

National Blood Bike Awareness Day is an excellent opportunity for our volunteers and collaborating clinical staff to take stock of just how much we achieve with our volunteering 365 days a year.

If you have been inspired to support the work of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, please consider making a donation.

We would also like to hear from people who might be able to volunteer for us – either by riding, driving or attending fundraising events.

Thank you for joining us for Blood Bike Day 2024.

The just giving link is below.https://www.justgiving.com/whiteknightsyorkshire-bloodbikes

CRH Neonatal Milk Bank praise Whiteknights…

For Blood Bike day 2024 Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes are are taking the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, Prof. Malik to see two of the hospital departments at Calderdale Royal Hospital, which we are proud to support with an urgent delivery service on a nightly basis.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes regularly respond to, on average, 300 urgent call-outs each month.

Pictured in the Neonatal Unit are Prof. Malik, Jo-ann Cornelly, Clinical Nurse Manager and Steph Padden, Family Support Assistant.

Steph is explaining how the donated Breast Milk Bank operates at CRH and how much they appreciate Whiteknights collecting milk from their donors and delivering to the Neonatal unit.

Prof Malik later went on to visit a lady who had donated over 200 litres of breast milk during the first year since here child’s birth.

High Sheriff becomes Blood Biker for a day…

Time to reveal our very special guest for Blood Bike Day 2024 on the Yorkshire Blood Bikes Facebook Page.

Introducing the King’s Representative in West Yorkshire, High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL.

Professor Malik, West Yorkshire’s first Asian female High Sheriff, wanted to experience and to see for herself how Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes Volunteers, “GO BEYOND” to regularly exceed expectations with our remarkable volunteering to support hospitals and hospices.

Join Professor Malik as she takes to West Yorkshire Roads as a Pillion Passenger riding alongside an on-call Yorkshire Blood Bike.

Join us again later to see her progress.

Ready to deploy as an honourary Blood Biker: Piloted by Steve Harker, Professor Adeeba Malik and On-call Advanced-Qualified Volunteer Rider, Stu Stirrat

Blood Bike Day 2024

Welcome to National Blood Bike Awareness Day 2024 on the Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood BIkes Facebook Page.

This year’s theme is “Going Beyond”. We are very excited to have a special guest Blood Biker joining us today to see at first hand, how our remarkable volunteers “Go Beyond” 365 days a year to support patients, hospitals and hospices in Yorkshire.

Follow us throughout the day to learn more about the voluntary work of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.

Donated Car launched into service in Leeds…

Yorkshire family donates Blood Car to Yorkshire Charity.

The family of a post-war era, North York Moors AA Patrol Man has presented a donated Blood Car to Whiteknights, the Yorkshire Voluntary Blood Bike Charity.

Bertil Wilson, patrolled the North Yorkshire Moors from the 1950’s to the 1980’s, initially on a motorbike and sidecar and was renown in his local community.

His son Peter added: “As an AA Rider, my dad went out in all weathers all year round – just like Yorkshire Blood Bike Riders do. So I thought it would be a nice touch to name the car we have donated in his honour. I think he would have been chuffed to bits really – the “Boy Wilson” Blood car looks brilliant now it has its high-vis graphics on.”

The car, which was unveiled in Leeds at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, will be used to transport urgent blood specimen samples, donated breast milk, and urgent medications by volunteer drivers at no cost to Hospices and the NHS.

Regional Manager for Whiteknights, Andy Richardson said, “We’re delighted to have a car to use during adverse weather conditions and national relays. Prior to this donation volunteers were using their own vehicles in freezing winter temperatures when it was unsafe to use our fleet of motorcycles.”

Whiteknights began collecting samples from Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley in 2021.

The hospice provides expert palliative care and support for people who are living with a life-limiting condition.

Paul Musgrave, Service Director at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, said:

“We’re so grateful for this fantastic free service that Whiteknights provide. Being able to carry out important tests and to know that samples will be collected and processed out of hours is extremely important to us. It means we can carry on providing the best possible palliative care and be there when it matters for the people of Leeds.”

Pictured are Healthcare Assistants, Beth Parry and Carole Moore, Senior Therapy Assistant, Liz Pallister, Wheatfields Hospice Service Director, Paul Musgrave alongside Whiteknights Volunteers, Adam Meek and Andy Richardson.

For more information on Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, visit www.sueryder.org/Wheatfields

Donations can be made via their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/sueryder

York family presents a donated Blood Car to Yorkshire Charity…

The family of a post-war era, North York Moors AA Patrol Man has presented a donated Blood Car to Whiteknights, the Yorkshire Emergency Voluntary Blood Bike charity.

Bertil Wilson, patrolled the North York Moors for 35 years from the 50’s to the 80’s, initially on a motorbike and sidecar and was renown in his local community.

In memory of his father, Peter donated the Skoda Fabia Blood Car named, “Boy Wilson” in Bertil’s honour.

At the unveiling at York Hospital today Peter and his wife Maggie were presented with a “Whiteknights Champions” award in recognition of their generosity.

The car will be used to transport urgent blood specimen samples, donated breast milk, and urgent medications by volunteer drivers at no cost to the NHS.

The Yorkshire Blood Bike charity is reliant on cars during adverse weather conditions too dangerous to use their fleet of motorcycles. Prior to this donation volunteers were using their own vehicles in freezing winter temperatures.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes made over 3000 urgent deliveries last year for hospitals and hospices and travelled more than 80,000 miles around the region.

Pictured at the unveiling from the York Hospital Trust: Jenny Fullthorpe, Krishnan Sharma, Joanna Andrew. Whiteknights Volunteers: Mike Harrison and Andy Richardson are alongside the vehicle’s donors, Peter and Maggie Wilson.