It was a real privilege to meet Matthew Butterfield, West Yorkshire Manager of Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes, and to thank him and all the incredible volunteers behind this vital service.

Whiteknights have rightly been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour a voluntary group can receive in the UK. Often described as the ‘MBE for volunteer groups’, it recognises the dedication, professionalism, and selflessness these volunteers bring to their work every single day.

Operating across West Yorkshire, including here in Halifax, Whiteknights provide an essential out-of-hours service delivering urgent medical supplies, such as blood, pathology samples, and donor breast milk, between NHS sites. Their work directly supports patient care and helps ease the pressure on our NHS.

This award is a testament to the time, energy, and heart that each and every volunteer puts in.

Congratulations to Matthew and the entire team. Your commitment to helping others is truly inspiring.