Only female Blood Biker in South Yorkshire hopes to see others join the team
Ann Pullin has volunteered for the Whiteknights for over four years
The only female blood biker in South Yorkshire has shared what it is like to complete essential deliveries for the NHS.
Ann Pullin has volunteered for the Whiteknights for over four years and described the task as a “privilege”. The team delivers vital supplies between hospitals, hospices and supply centres.
She said: “We have a core group of volunteers who put their hand up time and time again to help when the calls come in, and I am so proud to be part of the team.
“Despite there only being one other female Whiteknight, and me being the only female rider for when we go on group rides, I always feel a part of the team and am very much welcomed.”
On Wednesday, Ann had been out on six different trips to deliver essential supplies free of charge. Without the Whiteknights, hospitals would have to use taxis or sometimes even emergency services to transport their supplies, which would be incredibly expensive for the NHS.
Ann said: “We love riding, so we can do something we love while making a difference.”
She explained that the task can be lonely as the Whiteknights rarely see other team members on the job, but added that it is incredibly rewarding when they arrive and make their deliveries.
When the Whiteknights receive long distance calls, branches across the country will team up to carry out a “relay” to avoid individual long distance journeys.
On a relay job in April, Ann met another female biker, Elaine Perrins, from the Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes.
Ann said: “I’ve been doing this volunteer role for four and a half years and it was only a few months ago I met another female blood biker.
“We were excited to see each other because I don’t think she had seen another female biker either.”
Ann explained that Elaine’s team now has two more female riders and her own team has a female driver, who she said goes “above and beyond”.
She explained that the fact she is a “female biker” does not matter, and said she just sees a job that needs to be done. Ann said that there are a surprising number of women in the biking community and would love to have more of them on her team.
“I'm hoping we can get some more for South Yorkshire,” she said.