Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes would like to wish all our remarkable Volunteers, Friends, Supporters & other Blood Bike Charitable Goups in the UK and abroad – a very happy new year!
As of 7pm tonight we have successfully completed an incredible 3382 urgent deliveries during 2023 for Hospitals and Hospices in Yorkshire. That’s certainly something to celebrate!
Thank you to our volunteers who are on standby to be deployed this New Year’s Eve and during New Year’s Day.
Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes are delighted to receive a recognition award for the countless hours of volunteering by our remarkable Advanced – Qualified, Volunteer Blood Bike Riders.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have awarded us a PROUD Volunteer of the Year Award.
What an excellent way to finish another year of service to the Hospitals and Hospices we support.Thank you for recognising just what we do 365 days a year.
The Emergency Voluntary Service Charity, Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes have awarded a Bradford business with a fundraising award.
Arshad Mahmood of the Aagrah Midpoint Restaurant received the Whiteknights’ Angels Award from the Yorkshire Charity’s Community Liaison, Chris Parker.
Chris added: “We convey urgent deliveries of blood samples and medications overnight by volunteer motorcyclists for all NHS patients in communities in West Yorkshire.
“We really appreciate the recognition and support from a local business in this way to support our work over the winter months.”
Pictured is Arshad and Chris outside the Aagrah Midpoint Restaurant, Bradford.
Funeral of Howard Victor (Vic) Siswick
The celebration of Vic’s life will take place at 13:15 on Thursday 23 November 2023 at Huddersfield Crematorium, Fixby Road, Huddersfield HD2 2JF. W3Words – ///dock.bench.follow
The service will last 45 minutes.
The family have requested, if possible, that those attending consider wearing a white rose or something white. His coffin will adorned with family flowers, white roses and his blood bike crash helmet.
Donations can be made to support Whiteknights Yorkshire blood bikes via a Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/vic-siswick-founder
Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes is a charity that Vic founded in 2008 whilst undergoing cancer treatment as he noticed a lack of an urgent transportation service for blood and pathology samples, “Out of hours.”
Those attending can either make their way directly to the crematorium, OR one of Vic’s real desirers, which is fully supported by his family is for the cortege to include escort motorcycles in front of and behind the family vehicles.
Remaining motorcycles from the various groups Vic worked with are being encouraged to form a convoy behind the family cars for the 5 mile journey to the crematorium. (Vic loved to showboat).
Those attending are asked where possible to wear their preferred high-vis event jacket, screen blades etc, so the family get a feel for those in attendance. Convoy line up will be marked blood bikes then other group representations in any order.
Motorcycles wanting to tag on behind should congregate ‘ready to roll’ by 12:30 at:
Rookery Lane, Salterhebble, Halifax. HX3 0PZ. W3Words: ///movies.poppy.able
NOTE: This location is hindered by major roadworks, so allow extra time to get to the RV point. (Beware of the cobbles when turning left from Salterhebble Hill, plus its a narrow street and need to turn round ready to exit).
To assist the family with catering can those attending the wake please confirm directly with me ASAP. Please email: a.laurie@ntlworld.com
The venue will be confirmed based on potential numbers attending.
It is with deepest sympathy that Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes announce the death today of Vic Siswick, Honorary Founding Member of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.
Vic died following a period of illness at the age of 76.
He was an inspiring leader, a highly committed supporter of the NHS and an excellent motorcyclist riding for Blood Bikes and the NEG. All Whiteknights today pay tribute to Vic.
We express our sincere condolences to Vic’s family at this time.
Volunteer Blood Bikers in Leeds have received a major donation from a church in Alwoodley.
Alwoodley Park Methodist Church raised £2000 to support the operational costs of providing the “Free to the NHS” urgent transport service.
Andrew Foster, the Chairman of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes commented: “This donation is one of the largest we have received during 2023 and will help to keep our voluntary service of delivering urgent blood samples for testing on the road this autumn.”
Pictured presenting a “Whiteknights’ Fundraising Champions” certificate is Volunteer Rider Adam, alongside, Judith Jackson, Gill Mason and Rob Garlick from Alwoodley Park Methodist Church.
Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes South Yorkshire Team would like to thank Revs N Relics for servicing our BMW F800GT Blood Bike free of charge to support our charity.
Thank you guys it’s very much appreciated!
Medical staff at St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield have commemorated National Blood Bike day by thanking the volunteer bikers who have greatly contributed to the care of their patients.
“Whiteknights transport Blood Samples and medications from the Hospice to patients’ homes. Before Whiteknights began supporting us, these journeys were made for us by taxis at considerable expense for the St Luke’s charity,” said Ward Sister Sheila Turner.
“A major benefit to us,” added Sister Gemma Sharp, “ is that if a Doctor makes a request out-of-hours, it was often a challenge to arrange obtaining that item – now we just call Whiteknights to make the delivery. We hugely appreciate their voluntary service.”
Pictured are Whiteknights Volunteer Blood Bikers, alongside Sister Gemma Sharp and Sister Sheila Turner.
The theme for National Blood Bike Day is Partnerships. One key relationship for Whiteknights is the service we offer to Overgate Hospice in Elland.
“Whiteknights transport Blood Samples and medications for the Hospice,” said interim Chief Executive Officer, Tracey Wilcocks.
“It’s a very reliable service that we have grown to rely on. When we request a Blood Bike their arrival is always very prompt. We hugely appreciate their voluntary service.”
Pictured are Whiteknights Volunteer Blood Bikers, alongside, Dr Rhona Parrish and Tracey Wilcocks.
Medical staff at St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds have commemorated National Blood Bike day by thanking the volunteer bikers who make free, urgent deliveries for them.
Riders from Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes transport urgent blood samples to the hospital for testing and medications from the hospice to patients, during the night and around the clock at weekends.Dr Karen Neoh, Consultant in Palliative Medicine said; “We really appreciate the volunteer service from Whiteknights. Being able to do blood tests to guide patient management and to have them collected and processed in a timely manner Out-of-hours is really helpful for us.“
Pictured are Whiteknights Volunteer Blood Bikers, John Singleton and Andy Richardson are thanked by Dr Karen Neoh, Sam Trenamen, Eleanor Adey at St Gemma’s Hospice Leeds.