Volunteer motorcyclists in Yorkshire who transport urgently needed blood samples and medications during the night free-of-charge to the NHS are appealing for the loan of a vehicle to keep them on the road this winter.
The vehicles that had been loaned to Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes by local Franchise Dealers have had to be returned because of the lack of availability of new cars.
Now, this potentially live-saving voluntary service, which this year has already received 2000 urgent call-outs, is at risk because of the dangers of riding the blood bikes in freezing road temperatures.
Chairman of the Yorkshire Blood Bike charity, Andrew Foster explained: “The Out-Of-Hours service we provide to the hospitals and hospices in Yorkshire during the night and at weekends, is a unique service where we are prepared to transport single items urgently. It might be a blood sample, COVID swab, medications or case notes. If we don’t deliver it, the NHS and clinical centres pay for a private-hire taxi to transport it. This can generate a huge cost to the NHS.
“We have a fleet of 8 bikes and volunteer riders on duty every night in North, South and West Yorkshire. It’s a marvellous charity and we are hugely valued by the clinical staff in the Yorkshire hospitals and hospices we serve.
“We would very much like to hear from any motor traders and dealers who could loan us a vehicle to use this winter to keep us on the road regardless of adverse weather conditions in the far-reaching areas of Yorkshire we cover.”
For further information contact us: 07970 224420
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