Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes recently visited Calderdale Royal Hospital to gather and celebrate the announcement that they have recently received the King's Award for Voluntary Services.
The King's Award for Voluntary Service (previously Queen's Award for Voluntary Service) is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups, being equivalent to an MBE. This prestigious award recognises exceptional work done by volunteer groups in their communities.
Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes provide a free of charge, out-of-hours urgent transportation service by volunteer motorcyclists. They urgently transport - within one hour - blood and pathology specimen samples, controlled medications, donated breast milk for Special Care Baby Units and other vital supplies for hospitals and hospices throughout Yorkshire.
Bikers, in their official voluntary blood bike uniform, gathered to make the announcement and to celebrate outside of the Women's and Children's entrance at CRH. They were joined by a few of our staff members who use their service. Including NICU Sister Jackie Price, Neonatal Advanced Practitioner Victoria Iggleden and Healthcare Science Assistant James Barrington.
Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bike Chair of Trustees, Andrew Foster, said: “Since the creation of our Charity in 2008, we have grown to having 60 volunteer bikers, three of which are on duty every day of the year.
“We now respond to over 3000 callouts every year and also participate in national relays with other neighboring Blood Bike Groups.
“We are delighted to receive this prestigious award – all our Whiteknights’ volunteer riders, past and present should be extremely proud of what our small charity has achieved.”
