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Whiteknights Go Green with Electric Vehicle

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes have just completed their first operational relay run in our new electric vehicle. Thanks to Sandal BMW, the battery-powered BMW i3 completed a zero-emission relay of Microbiology Samples from Scotch Corner on the A1 into Leeds city centre to Leeds General Infirmary.

Pictured presenting the keys to WKYBB Fleet Manager, John Mitchell, is Head of Business at Sandal Huddersfield, Richard Avery. Watch this space for future updates about our eco-friendly vehicle.

Speaking at the key hand-over , Fleet Manager, John Mitchell said: “Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes are very grateful for the generosity of Sandal BMW in providing the Charity with the use of this electric vehicle.

“The BMW i3 will be an invaluable addition to our fleet of motorbikes and will be used both when winter can introduce more risk in use of the bikes, and in the Spring and Summer months will be used additionally at fundraising and promotional events to help raise awareness of the work that Whiteknights do.”

Blood Bike named in remembrance of PC Dave Fields

In a short dedication ceremony held at Roddisons Motorsport headquarters in Sheffield, PC Dave Field’s widow, Emma, his brother, PC Richard Fields, Rose Gibson and Kevin Harper of Simpson Millar and Paul Roddison presented Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bike Advanced-Qualified Volunteer Riders, Paranjit, Dennis, Steve and Roy with the Blood Samples Carrier Box and Keys to commission into service the Dave Fields Blood Bike.

Ivanhoe Lodge donate a new Blood Bike for South Yorkshire

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes are delighted to launch “Ivanhoe” – a BMW R1200RTP to the Whiteknights Fleet.
At a launch event at Tapton Hall in Sheffield, the Trustees of Ivanhoe Lodge formally handed over the keys and released, “Ivanhoe,” into South Yorkshire operational Blood Bike service. It forms part of a total donation totalling £30,000 to run and maintain the machine for the next three years.

Our sincere thanks to the Trustees of Ivanhoe Lodge for supporting Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes in this way.

Pictured: Left to Right:
Roy Clark (WKYBB South Yorkshire Dep. Manager), Keith Hewitt, Michael Nelson, John Clague, Gavin Watson, Andrew Foster (WKYBB Chairman) Andy Dickens (WKYBB West Yorkshire Manager)

Busy Start of year for new recruit Maurice

Breaking News… from Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.
Following a busy period for Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes over the festive period, we go into the first week of January with an urgent national relay with other Blood Bikes groups to transfer Pathology items from Edinburgh to St James’ Hospital Leeds.

Pictured from just moments ago whilst on the relay section from Scotch Corner to Leeds is Whiteknights Advanced – Qualified Volunteer Rider, Maurice Greenwood. Today marks the end of Maurice’s first week on duty for Whiteknights.

Speaking tonight Maurice said, “I’ve been on standby over the New-Year period from the 30th and its been very busy. I’ve received multiple call-outs and found it both challenging and exhilarating. It’s been very different from the type of volunteering I’ve done in the past – I’ve loved every minute and can highly recommend volunteering for Blood Bikes. I look forward to my next time on duty.”

Enterprise Rent-A-Car generously support Whiteknights

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes are delighted to announce receiving a donation from the charitable foundation of the employer of one of our advanced-qualified volunteer riders.

Peter Lenthall successfully achieved a funding award from his employer Enterprise Rent-A-Car and their charity – Enterprise Holdings Foundation.

Speaking at a recent cheque presentation at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital, South Yorkshire Regional Manager for Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, Debbie Fulton said: “Christmas has certainly come early for Whiteknights this year! We have received a tremendous grant of one thousand pounds from Enterprise.

“This comes at exactly the right time for us as the winter season is especially busy for us as our volunteer riders transfer urgent medical blood samples for testing during the night and at weekends.”

“As we go into the New Year we are also now recruiting volunteers again.
Any motorcyclists who would like to find out more about the voluntary service we provide to the hospitals in Sheffield can visit our website atwww.whiteknights.org.uk. We would very much like to hear from you.”

Pictured outside the Laboratory Medicine department at Northern General Hospital are the South Yorkshire volunteer riders of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.

Graham’s Motorcyles Bradford keep Whiteknights on the road

Our sincere thanks go to the guys at Graham’s Motorcycles Bradford. “Lottie” a BMW F800GT, recently experienced battery failure – a new one was rapidly installed and within 2 hours here is the machine pictured outside Leeds Seacroft BTS having made an urgent delivery and was back in action. Whiteknights say a massive “Thank you!” to all our supporters and sponsors. — with Grahams Motorcycles.

GVMKR Trust generously support Whiteknights

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes would like to thank the GVMKR Trust and a number of Methodist Fellowship Groups in Yorkshire for their recent recognition and future support. Thanks to the members of St Pauls, Emmanuel Methodist Church, Barnsley, Oxenhope Methodist Church and Thornhill Methodist Church.

Millers Oils support Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes

West Yorkshire based, Millers Oils, have announced their support by providing engine oils to the fleet of machines operated by Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.

Marketing Manager for the Brighouse – based firm, Kaz Driver, said: “Millers Oils is a highly innovative independent blender of market-leading advanced oils and fuel treatments with a history of providing creative lubrication solutions for some of the world’s best known brands.

“Our product portfolios cover myriad sectors including Automotive, Motorsport and Classic vehicles, Agricultural and Commercial vehicles and a suite of highly advanced products for a wide variety of Industrial applications. We are thrilled to support the valiant charitable work of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes in this way.”

Legal & General generously support Whiteknights

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes are thrilled to receive a cheque for £1000 from Brett Dexter – Relationship Manager from Legal and General. 
General Manager for Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, Laurence Turner said at the presentation: “We really appreciate the donation from Legal and General at this time as we anticipate another busy autumn and winter season.”
Pictured left to right is WKYBB West Yorkshire Manager, Andy Dickens, Brett Dexter, Laurence Turner and Deputy West Yorkshire Manager, Tony Bradley.

Terberg DTS (UK) donate motorcyle on Blood Bike Awareness Day 2018

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes today marked National Blood Bike Awareness Day with the presentation of a donated BMW motorcycle from Elland-based Special Vehicle supplier Terberg DTS (UK).

West Yorkshire Regional Manager for Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, Andy Dickens said, “We’re delighted to receive this bike into our expanding fleet of motorcycles, ridden by volunteers to urgently transport medical samples for testing between Hospitals and Hospices in Yorkshire.

“So far 2018 has seen a continued increase in the demand for Voluntary Blood Bike services from our charity. Whiteknights received 1746 call-outs between August 2017 to August 2018 with 810 call-outs from 1st January this year.”

Alisdair Couper, Managing Director of Terberg DTS (UK) added; “We’re one of the UK’s largest supplier of Special Vehicles to the Logistics and Military market sector. We’re part of the Dutch Terberg Group with a history spanning 150 years. We opened our current facility in Elland in 2000 and we now have 140 staff working 24 hours a day supporting our civilian and military customers.

“We’re delighted to donate this motorcycle to the Whiteknights. We have many colleagues within the business who are passionate motorcyclists and we thought is was very fitting to support the Whiteknights who are providing a fantastic service to support the NHS in this way.”

The increased work load experienced by Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes is also reflected nationally.

Statistics from the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, comprising 32 independent Blood Bike Charity groups, registered a record 73,617 operational call-outs during this period – an increase of more than 30% over figures for 2016-2017.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes will be celebrating Blood Bike Awareness day this weekend with public appearances at Meadowhall, Sheffield and Doncaster Races.

Pictured (left to right) presenting the BMW Motorcycle is Alisdair and Paul from Terberg DTS (UK) and West Yorkshire Regional Manager for WKYBB, Andy Dickens.