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 renowned 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