It’s now time to learn of what is possibly the most mission critical and time critical endeavour Whiteknights have the privilege of undertaking.

We’re delighted to introduce Dr Hemant Kulkami, Respiratory Consultant at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust who runs a specialist monthly PCD clinic.Each month, Whiteknights urgently transport Nasal Brush Biopsy samples from Sheffield to Leicester University for the diagnosis of a rare respiratory condition.

“Children with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) have a problem with mucus build-up, which leads to infections and swelling of the airways and the ears. Ordinarily the mucus should be cleared by tiny hairs lining the airways called Cilia – but in a child with PCD this process is limited.

“In order to diagnose the condition, a sample of the Cilia are taken from the child’s nose. These samples are challenging to collect, and the procedure can be uncomfortable for the child. The samples are time sensitive and can deteriorate once taken. So its vital the samples are obtained from the patient and delivered to the lab within hours later that day.

““There are only three centres in England that can process the PCD samples. Once transported to the specialist respiratory centre at Leicester University the sample is then viewed under a microscope.”

Layla Austerberry, Respiratory Physiology Assistant, commented: “I personally think it’s great to have Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes providing this transportation service. With their experience in handling biological specimens, we know the samples will be in safe hands.”

Pictured is Dr Hemant Kulkami with Dr Elizabeth Gregson and clinical staff from the PCD Clinic at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Our first posting on Blood Bike Day 2022: Time Critical, is from the West Yorkshire Team of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.

In the last 48 hours, Whiteknights were deployed to participate on a national Blood Bike relay and rendezvous with our friends and colleagues from Blood Bikes Manchester. The task: to collect at the handover, a consignment of urgently needed donated Breast Milk despatched by Wythenshawe Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Harry from Blood Bikes Manchester is pictured at the handover at the motorways services meeting point with Laurence from Whiteknights. Laurence then rapidly deployed to deliver the vital breast milk to the Neonatal Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Many people have no idea that our volunteering work involves this kind of vital service which benefits the very youngest and most vulnerable of Yorkshire patients.

Please support the work of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes and your local Blood Bike charity.Don’t miss our next posting about a #timecritical service from Whiteknights in South Yorkshire.

The Ladies group of Inner Wheel Hull Kingston, have decided to close their group after forty years of serving their local communities. At their final Charter event in June they decided to support two charities in their final year of fundraising. Following various fundraising opportunities they have made a donation of £1000 to Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.

Pictured receiving the donation is PR Manager, Matthew from Whiteknights, Inner Wheel, District 137 Chairperson, Christine Smith, and Inner Wheel Hull Kingston President, Ann Johnson.  

On behalf of all the volunteers at Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, we convey our congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen on Her Platinum Jubilee of 70 years reign. Whiteknights are attending various events across Yorkshire this Bank Holiday to join in with the celebrations.

A Hand of Friendship national tour of Blood Bikes groups being undertaken by two Blood Bikers over the Jubilee Weekend has arrived in Yorkshire.

Thomas and Mark from newly-formed NABB Group, Highland and Islands Blood Bikes, are circumnavigating the UK stopping along the way to obtain signatures on their Friendship Charter. Having departed Inverness at 4AM they arrived at Pontefract Castle at lunchtime. They were greeted by Whiteknights, Paul Andrews, Ian Dabell and Neil Clarkson.

In return, Paul presented the two travellers with a well deserved bottle of Yorkshire tipple, Theakstons Old Peculiar.

Thomas added: “It’s been really fantastic to meet our fellow Blood Bikers around the country. I can’t believe its never been undertaken before.”

iLadies of the Sheffield branch of Soroptimists International, have made a major donation to Sheffield’s voluntary Blood Bikers.

The visiting President of Soroptimists International, Yorkshire region, Madame President, Lindsay Green presented Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes Deputy South Yorkshire Manager, Andrew Wragg with a donation of £500 at a recent event at Tapton Hall.

Lindsay commented, “This evening we have learnt in more detail the marvellous voluntary service provided in Sheffield and across Yorkshire by Whiteknights’s Blood Bikers. The urgent transportation service they provide free of charge to the NHS during the night and at weekends is an inspiration and we thoroughly commend the commitment to patient care they demonstrated during the Pandemic.”

A ten year-old boy who is visiting all 20 Premier League football clubs around the country to raise funds for local Blood Bike Charities has arrived in Sheffield.

Caiden Rolph, from Peterborough, received a warm welcome from Sheffield Blood Bikers at the Sheffield United ground earlier today.

Caiden was wearing his specially made Blood Biker vest adorned with the badges of the Blood Bike charities he has met and supported.

Caiden’s mother Claire said, “It’s been wonderful to meet the Whiteknights today and for Caiden to go pitch-side at Bramall Lane.

“Caiden has Autism and is a huge football fan. It’s been a wonderful adventure for him to visit the Premier League clubs and to highlight the voluntary work of Blood Bikes around the country over the last few years.”

Caiden presented Whiteknights, South Yorkshire Manager, Roy Clark with a cheque for £150 which he had raised.

Pictured are Sheffield Blood Bikers from Whiteknights, Chris, Ann, Paul, Roy and Andrew alongside Caiden and Claire Rolph.

More good news for Whiteknights’ Out-of-hours urgent transportation service.

The current President of Hull Kingston Inner Wheel, Ann Johnson (pictured) has announced the selection of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes as her chosen charity for 2022.

Ann was joined by the ladies of the Inner Wheel group at a recent fundraising opportunity held at a Waitrose Supermarket.

Whiteknights are extremely grateful to be selected by groups as demand for support in the charity sector is at an all time high.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bike announce a new campaign to recruit official fundraising volunteers.

Do you believe in the vital voluntary work of Whiteknights motorcyclists? – then we would be delighted to have you on our team.

If you, or someone you know would be willing to spare some time attending events with us or on behalf of us throughout 2022 then please message us through Facebook or email: fundraising@whiteknights.org.uk

We have forthcoming events we very much need volunteer fundraisers to attend. Please share this post and contact us as soon as possible. We would love to hear from you. Fundraising volunteer recruitment is now open to all.

Facebook.com/yorkshirebloodbikes

fundraising@whiteknights.org.uk