Clare Linehan, a 19-years old childcare worker from Mallow, has been rewarded for her love of young children thanks to the support she gave to Bumbleance, the world's first interactive ambulance service for sick children, writes Trish Whelan.
Attending the recent National Ploughing Championship, Clare responded to an appeal from Bumbleance, never thinking it would lead to her becoming the lucky owner of a new Mercedes-Benz B-Class car.
Clare was presented with the keys of her new car by Mercedes-Benz chief executive Stephen Byrne at an information event held at their headquarters on Naas Road when she travelled to Dublin recently with her mother Patsy, father Patrick and brother Jerry.
A delighted Clare said "I could hardly talk when its founder Tony Heffernan called to tell me I was the owner of a brand new Mercedes. Seeing what a worthy cause the Bumbleance service is, I couldn't resist giving them my support."
Bumblance is the brainchild of Kerry couple Tony and Mary Heffernan, and is an ambulance service specially designed to transport long-term sick children to and from care and treatment centres in a comfy, child-friendly, stress-relieving manner.
You can't miss it with its cartoon-like 'bumble bee' imagery. Inside, each unit is equipped with 'the latest gizmos and interactive entertainment features that young passengers can enjoy while away away - internet and social media browsing or playing music, movies and games of all kind.
Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager Fergus Conheady said "Bumbleance is one of the most worthwhile projects we have ever supported. Plans are to quadruple the ambulance fleet so that the service it provides can be even more widely available."
Clare (second left) is pictured with her mum Patsy and dad Patrick after taking delivery of her new Mercedes-Benz B-Class. Mercedes-Benz chief executive Stephen Byrne is pictured left and commercial vehicles sales manager Fergus Conheady is pictured centre.
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| The Bumbleance childrens' ambulance (at a fundraising event) |
