Well done to all our remarkable volunteers in South Yorkshire who have made 800 free-of-charge to the NHS journeys, to transport blood test samples from the temporary site at Sheffield Arena to Sheffield Hospitals.
In this short video, Whiteknights’ South Yorkshire Regional Manager, Roy Clark speaks about the achievement.
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.
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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 14th 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 – 14th 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.”
National Blood Bike Awareness Day – Friday 14th August 2020
Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes are delighted to announce that Elland-based specialist vehicle firm, Terberg DTS UK, have announced they will be “fueling the fleet of blood bikes” we operate as a voluntary Blood Bike Charity.
In recognition of the outstanding contribution to patient care in Yorkshire for moving Blood Samples, medications and donated breast milk, Terberg DTS UK have issued each motorcycle with a fuel card to pay the Whiteknights’ petrol costs. This is a major financial initiative – the first of its kind for the Yorkshire Blood Bike Charity.
It coincides with National Blood Bike awareness day on 14th August which for the year of the 2020 pandemic has the theme of “Rising To The Challenge”.
To respond to the Covid19 outbreak, Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes is now offering a 24/7 service in addition to the Out of Hours Urgent voluntary transportation service it provides for the NHS and Hospices in Yorkshire.
Head of Fleet Rental, for Terberg DTS UK, Robin Johnson said: “The volunteer work the Whiteknights Motorcyclists fulfill each night to benefit the NHS in Yorkshire is really inspiring, they do a brilliant job and we’re thrilled to be able to support them in this new way.”
The Chairman of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, Andrew Foster commented: “All our volunteers have made a tremendous contribution to support NHS services during the pandemic. We hugely appreciate Terberg DTS UK recognising this and being so willing to cover our fuel costs to keep our charitable service going when our routine fundraising events have been cancelled.”
Pictured at the launch of “Fueling the Fleet” and the presentation of the first fuel card is Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, West Yorkshire Manager, Andy Dickens alongside Robin Johnson from Terberg DTS UK.
Terberg DTS UK originally sponsored an operational Blood Bike motorcycle for Whiteknights back in 2018. In light of the importance of the work the bike was achieving, Terberg DTS UK have decided to further their support of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.
Well we’re into the final week before Sheffield’s very own hairy biker gets a shearing this Saturday 1st August.
Watch out for a video update and hopefully a Facebook live video as South Yorkshire Deputy Manager, Chris Taylor goes under the scissors for the shaving of a lifetime to raise funds for Whiteknights.
Remember he’s going for the full beard, hair and eye brow removal! And its all in aid of a great charity – Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood BIkes. Please share and prompt your friends to donate to support the pandemic work we are doing at this time. See you soon!
Here’s the link to our JustGiving Page:
Would you consider buying a Blood Biker a ‘Virtual Beer’ – to say “Thank You”.
Click on the link to the Whiteknights website and click on, ‘Make a Donation’.
It’s a great opportunity to tell the story of how WE, have supported NHS frontline services, and for YOU to have the opportunity to actually support us.
Since the 23 of March, we’ve responded to more than 450 urgent call-outs to help hospitals and hospices across Yorkshire.
During the Coronavirus outbreak we responded by becoming a 24/7 service.
We continue to move Blood sample specimens for urgent testing between hospitals Out-of-hours; but we have evolved and adapted to new ways of working to minimise the risk of infection to patients. Now on a daily basis we collect routine phlebotomy testing, from temporary drive-through testing sites.
We’re taking laptop computers to on-call Doctors working remotely.
We’re moving medical records and resources.
We’re delivering controlled drugs and pharmacy items for shielding palliative care patients as part of the Hospice At Home initiative.
Whilst still joining other blood bike groups by participating in urgent and emergency national relays and we continue to transport donated breast milk to neonatal special care baby units.
Never before have we seen the potential for our healthcare systems to be under so much pressure.
But whilst we have gone from strength to strength in meeting the requests for our help from the clinical staff – its in fundraising where we now need your urgent contribution.
Like many charities, without our public appearances, our routine fundraising has been restricted .No, biker gatherings, no public events, no sporting sponsorship – at a time when we’ve never been busier – financially, things have never been bleaker….
Do you believe in the: “free of charge to the NHS”, work that we do?
If we didn’t do it – the NHS would have to pay for commercial private hire and courier costs.
We now really need your financial support…
Why not get behind Whiteknights, show your support for the new service our volunteers are providing, by riding through the night and now during the day.
So how about this? – to celebrate our volunteers, would you consider buying a Blood Biker a ‘Virtual Beer’ to recognise their contribution to patient care the fight against COVID-19 and to say thank you.
Please, right now, use the links and go to www.whiteknights.org.uk and click on ‘Make a Donation’.
Please give whatever you can, to show your support – please give generously and stand with us as we face this outbreak together…
From everyone at Whiteknights….
Thank you.