BUMPLEance, the world’s first interactive children’s ambulance service has expanded its operations with its latest vehicle - a bespoke Mercedes-Benz Vito van, writes Trish Whelan.
Built on an extra-long body, it becomes the ninth Mercedes-Benz BUMBLEance on the fleet and is finished outside and inside with the same cartoon ‘bumble bee’ imagery. To eliminate stress and create more relaxing surroundings for children, its interior decor and features include all the online and interactive elements it is possible to provide with wi-fi, audio-visual and child-friendly gizmos that have made the BUMBLEance service so successful.
Inside, its flexible accommodation can be configured according to the needs of the child with space for other family members to accompany them on the journey. Allowing the installation of seating with ISOFIX arrangements, two wheelchair users can be securely transported in the vehicle with the additional capacity of fixing a stretcher or an incubator in the future.
Brainchild of Kerry couple Tony and Mary Heffernan and their Saoirse Foundation, this service was set up in 2013 with the goal of creating an Ireland ‘where the fear and stress of an ambulance journey for a child no longer exists’. Since then, and with the support of Mercedes-Benz, the service has expanded considerably and today provides a range of supports for ill children.
Fergus Conheady, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager, describes BUMBLEance as ‘one of the most worthwhile projects we have ever supported and one which we are proud to have been involved in since its inception’.
Tony Heffernan says ‘the children who need BUMBLEance are thrilled to be transported using the world leading brand, and we are very grateful for all the support which we receive from Mercedes-Benz, our long standing relationship will continue to grow and we look forward to introducing two further new Sprinters in the second half of 2019’.
Mary and Tony Heffernan are pictured above with the latest Saoirse Foundation's Mercedes-Benz Vito BUMBLEance ambulance.
