A CHARITY Drive which will see a three wheeled van pushed from Dingle to Dublin in aid of the Saoirse Foundation ‘BUMBLEance’ rolled into town on Thursday.
The ‘BUMBLEance’ is a solution for sick children who require ambulance transportation between home and the national treatment centres, children’s hospitals and respite centres. The Dingle to Dublin push is hoping to raise €250,000.
“The response has been fantastic, there is even people coming down from Belfast to push. But saying that, we’re always in need of volunteers because it’s pretty tough going,” said Tony Heffernan of the Saoirse Foundation.
Tony and Mary Heffernan tragically lost their son and daughter Liam and Saoirse to Battens disease.
“The main thing we’re trying to do is put another ambulance on the road for kids all across Ireland,” said Tony.
The BUMBLEance will allow parents to avoid the stress of driving their sick child on a long journey with no medical assistance and remove the constant worries associated with moving medical equipment and medication, as well as the reality of trying to find a parking space for the family car as soon as they reach their destination.
It will come equipped with the latest technology on board, including a 19 inch LED TV, DVD, Playstation, iPad Mini, Nubi and much more. It will also have bundles of games, books, apps and music to shorten the journey for sick children.
A number of adventurers have taken up the cause including Dingle’s Polar explorer, Mike O’Shea.
“The Conor Pass on Thursday morning was pretty tough as you can imagine, it’s a 1,500 foot of a claim over four miles,” Mike.
“It’s very tough physically, there’s three of us doing the whole thing and we have new people coming in every day, so it’s great to get the fresh legs,” said Mike.
“On average we have between 15 and 25 people giving us a hand each day, also we have people collecting with buckets,” said Mike.
“It’s great to push the car to Dublin, but it’s about getting the funds in place to try and raise €250,000,” Mike said.
If you don’t come across the BUMBLance on their mammoth trek across the country you can contribute by texting Buzz to 50300. This will also enter you in for a chance to win a brand new Mercedes Benz. Text costs €4.
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