Bee part of the #MUNSTERMACHINE
Munster Rugby has teamed up with BUMBLEance Children’s Ambulance to help them purchase their latest vehicle, their 18th, which will hopefully join the fleet later in 2021.
The interactive ambulance service, which was founded by couple Mary and Tony Heffernan, delivers smiles to Ireland’s youngest patients.
The uniquely designed Munster Rugby and BUMBLEance branded vehicle will be known as the #MUNSTERMACHINE. The charity hopes to raise over €250,000 through the initiative to fund this new vehicle and regional service.
Corkman and BUMBLEance Co-Founder and CEO Tony Heffernan, explained the campaign: “For years, we have been transporting our King and Queen Bees from Munster and beyond in comfort and style. Now with the support of Munster Rugby and fans, we will be getting the Red Army mobilised to help even more children.
“We are asking all Munster Rugby supporters to get behind this amazing initiative and help us fund this new state-of-the-art vehicle. There are a number of ways to get involved with an amazing opportunity for a limited number of supporters to become virtual stakeholders in the vehicle itself.”
While supporters will be asked to support in any way they can, a special unique VIB Supporter package will be available for those who donate €250 to the Munster Machine and this package will give individuals, families, or groups the opportunity to attend the official launch of the vehicle at Thomond Park. Additionally, one lucky VIB Supporter will have the chance to be selected at random for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience with Munster Rugby.
BUMBLEance is the world’s first fully interactive, state of the art, children’s national ambulance service. It provides a national service for critically and seriously ill children, who require transportation between their home and children’s hospitals, hospices, national treatment centres and respite centres.
Co-Founder Mary Heffernan and husband Tony will personally contribute again to get a new BUMBLEance on the road.
Tony added: “BUMBLEance also provides a very unique and specialised service through its end-of-life Angel Trips. These are designed for a child in palliative care who is making his or her final journey on earth. Before the Angel Trip service, parents would often have to drive themselves home with their loved one or to take a taxi.
“We continue to deliver the Angel Trips during the Covid-19 crisis. Mary and I know first-hand the importance of this service as our Liam had his Angel Trip on BUMBLEance in May 2014.”
Anthony Morrisey, Munster Rugby’s Business Development Manager, talked about his first-hand experience of the service after availing of it for his little boy Theo who is one of the charity’s King Bees. “Having the benefit of going on the BUMBLEance to appointments during the pandemic has really shown me as a parent the importance and value of the service more than ever. BUMBLEance is part of our family and we are part of their BEE team, the charity has continued to support us and others throughout the Covid-19 crisis.”
To get behind the Munster Machine, see bumbleance.com/MunsterMachine.