A VOLUNTARY motorcycle service to take emergency supplies to hospitals outside working hours could be coming to Yorkshire.

But White Knights Emergency Volunteer Service needs money and hands-on help to get started.

The White Knights were set up by West Yorkshire Advanced Motorcyclist members Vic Donaldson, from Batley, and Vic Siswick, of Rastrick.

At present hospitals often rely on ambulances and costly taxi and courier services to transport supplies, especially out of hours.

Now the White Knights – inspired by the Freewheelers EVS Service, which covers South West England – hope to transport vital supplies, such as blood and X-rays, for free.

The organisation, which to cover West, South and parts of North Yorkshire and Humberside, is hoping to register as a charity.

The White Knights have secured sponsorship from WYAM, but are appealing for equipment, riders and fundraisers.

The service will run like an ambulance service, with voluntary riders on call from home. Hospitals will be able to contact riders through a central operator.

Mr Donaldson says: “Even though it’s entirely voluntary we want to run like a professional organisation, with a high standard of riders, professional uniforms and a contract with hospitals to provide a good level of service.

“Hopefully, this will save hospitals money and take pressure off the ambulance services.

“We’re looking for a couple of motorbikes, uniforms, insurance and stickers for the bikes.

“It costs £5,000 to run one bike for one year. Obviously we can’t run without donations. If you’d like to be a fundraiser, dispatcher or a rider, if you’re a company and you’d like your logo on our bikes, if you’re a motorcycle dealer and you’d like to donate one or sell us one cheaply, that’d be a great help.

“Imagine a loved one on an operating bed needing blood on a Friday night and the hospital needs a taxi to get the blood there. It would be nice to know that we were there.”

Mr Siswick said: “After an operation to remove a tumour on my pancreas I wanted to give something back to the NHS. I’ve been a biker for years and there’s nothing like Freewheelers in Yorkshire, so I thought it would be a good idea.”

To help call Mr Siswick on 01422 370416 or email whiteknightsevs@aol.com