MAIDEN VOYAGE Keith Gallagher with his father David (right) and Tony Heffernan, CEO of the Saoirse Foundation.
Áine Ryan
TWELVE-year-old Keith Gallagher was the first patient to take the country’s first ever BUMBLEair flight – a helicopter – which flew from Ireland West Airport Knock to Weston Aerdrome, Co Dublin on Sunday. The cancer patient with his Dad, David Gallagher, who are from Kilmovee, were then picked up by a BUMBLEance Children’s Ambulance which took them to Crumlin’s Children Hospital where Keith will receive treatment.
The trip was arranged by the Saoirse Foundation, the charity which runs the BUMBLEance service. It operates a fleet specially kitted-out interactive ambulances providing free transport from any corner of Ireland for very sick children up to 18 years of age.
The helicopter was flown by pilot Ryan Hanrahan who recently contacted the foundation’s chief executive, Tony Heffernan, donating his time and the use of the helicopter at his own expense.
“This helicopter service for sick kids has been on our wish list for a while so I’m delighted that it’s finally becoming a reality today. By taking some of the travel stress away it will make a big difference to Keith and his family during this difficult time,” said Tony Heffernan.
“Keith is one of our many King Bees – a wonderful boy who deserves and will get a lot of our attention. Keith and his family have had a difficult time recently. Not only was he diagnosed with a serious strain of cancer but the family also lost their Mum to cancer recently. Keith’s Dad David has been travelling by road with him for chemo treatment every week since April aboard the new BUMBLEance 5, a regional based service for the children of the Northwest. This air flight will cut that travel time for them and hopefully help to take away some of the stress of dealing with Keith’s illness,” he continued.
Meanwhile, David Gallagher said: “The BUMBLEance children’s ambulance service has been great for my family, the best thing I have ever heard of. It’s just a relief to know that I have the help of the BUMBLEance team.”
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