Mayo's Garron Noone set to travel for Hope On Wheels humanitarian mission
The convoy will see 11 ambulances driven overland from Mombasa in Kenya to Kampala in Uganda on May 24.
Ballina-based TikTok star, Garron Noone, and Mayo woman Triona Walsh, are joining a convoy on a humanitarian mission to deliver ambulances from Ireland to Uganda to support palliative care.
The convoy, being organised by the Hope on Wheels organisation, will see 11 ambulances driven overland from Mombasa in Kenya to Kampala in Uganda on a journey covering more than 1,200 kilometres through stunning countryside, remote roads, and national parks, starting on May 24.
Triona Walsh, of the Red Cross, expressed her delight at joining the mission, which aims to transform end-of-life care for the critically ill in Uganda.
“When I heard about this opportunity, I didn’t hesitate. The needs for palliative care in Uganda are huge, with less than 15 percent of people with critical and life-limiting illnesses accessing pain relief and palliative care.
“Thousands of people die every year suffering and in serious pain. Anything that can be done to increase access to care is worth supporting.”
The convoy is made up of volunteers from all walks of life, including a past and serving member of the Gardaí, a former journalist, businesspeople, farmers and retirees.
“Of course, I am also excited to be travelling with an amazing group of people, including Garron Noone, and seeing a lot of East Africa,” Triona added.
The ambulances, which have been donated by the National Ambulance Service, HSE Dublin Fire Brigade, and Civil Defence, have been shipped to the port of Mombasa ahead of the start of the convoy.
Partnering with the Palliative Care Association of Uganda and the Ugandan Ministry of Health, the ambulances will be officially handed over to hospices for use as mobile outreach palliative care clinics, bringing essential care and pain relief to critically ill patients in remote communities.
Adding a high-profile voice to the mission are Irish social media star Garron Noone and entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan, who will both join the convoy and use their platforms to raise awareness of the urgent need for accessible hospice and palliative care services in Uganda.
The HOW (Hope on Wheels) mission is inspired by the late Dr Anne Merriman, founder of Hospice Africa Uganda, whose pioneering work brought affordable pain relief and compassionate care to thousands of patients across the continent of Africa. She was born in Liverpool to Irish parents and did her medical training in Dublin. She passed away last year, aged 90.
As well as bringing ambulances, the convoy will be used to raise thousands of euros to support hospices in their work in Uganda, with a target of €500,000.
Speaking on the convoy, Garron Noone said, “I’m incredibly proud to be part of the Hope on Wheels convoy. I am delighted to support this cause and encourage others to support it.”
Gareth Sheridan, who sought a nomination in last year’s Irish Presidential Election to be the youngest ever candidate at 35, also expressed his delight to join the convoy.
“This mission resonates strongly with me through my work with improving how pain medication is delivered, making it safer and more accessible. I firmly believe access to pain relief shouldn’t depend on where you live. Hope on Wheels is helping bridge that gap in a very real and immediate way.”
HOW Chair Tom Doyle said for the last five years, the team have been driving ambulances by road to Uganda as volunteers.
“On our trip last year, we raised money for Hospice Africa Uganda and learned about the massive need for palliative care. We decided there, and then we would do a dedicated trip to support the critically ill in Uganda without access to the care and pain relief they needed
“This convoy is about more than delivering ambulances. It’s about delivering pain relief, dignity, comfort, and care to people at the most vulnerable time in their lives,” he concluded.
The Hope on Wheels convoy departs Mombasa on May 24, with arrivals and handover events planned in Kampala after arrival on June 1.