Bumbleance - the world¹s first children¹s ambulance service designed and

fitted-out exclusively to take sick children from their homes to treatment
centres in a stress-free, child-friendly way - has gone into service in
Ireland.

The brainchild of Kerry couple Tony and Mary Heffernan and their Saoirse
Foundation, this hugely praiseworthy project grew out of a determination by
Tony and Mary to do something that would alleviate some of the stress that
children suffer on long ambulance trips.

The inspiration for the idea came from their own experience and the stress
suffered by their late daughter Saoirse during her frequent transfers from
Kerry to Dublin and in whose memory the Foundation is named.

Built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis and cab, with body work by Wilkers
of Clarta, Bumbleance is illustrated outside and inside in cartoon-like
Œbumble bee¹ imagery intended to bring a smile to young people¹s faces and
keep their minds off its serious purpose.

Loaded with latest gizmos and interactive entertainment features, its young
passengers can while away their trip internet and social media browsing or
playing music, movies and games of all kind - without being distracted by
all that medical stuff that the ambulance crew have stored-away, out of
sight where only can find it.

It is envisaged that the Bumbleance service will increase to five units with
a sixth air ambulance unit to follow.