London Ambulance Service is helping people at the end of their lives make one final precious memory with those they love.
Through its new London Wish Ambulance programme, ambulance crews will volunteer their spare time to take terminally ill patients on a meaningful final trip to a place that holds special significance. It could be fish and chips by the seaside, attending a wedding or one last chance to cheer on their football club. The programme lets patients do something they cherish with the people who mean most to them.
London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Jason Killens KAM said:
“London Wish Ambulance exists to give people with a terminal illness one more opportunity to have a really special experience. One more day of laughter. One more family celebration. One more visit to a place that means everything – and all supported by our expert crews who are giving up their spare time to support these visits and keep our Wish participants safe and comfortable as they do so.
“These aren’t just journeys; they’re memories that become part of a family’s story forever.
“While our busy teams will be donating their free time, we’re asking for donations to support this extraordinary programme. You’ll be helping create a final chapter filled with dignity and love.”
Even a small donation will help provide this service, from the moment our crews pick up their Wish participants, money towards the entrance fee to their lasting experience, or just a cup of tea or refreshment along the way. By donating, you can help give a person at the end of their life one final special day with their loved ones.
Here are some examples of how your donation might help:
- Money towards the cost of the experience – concert tickets, fish and chips on the seafront, a visit to the zoo – with your donation, you will be helping to get our Wish participant exactly where they want to be.
- A small gift could pay for a cup of tea or a meal for the Wish participant and their loved ones on their trip, or a cup of coffee for the paramedics who are volunteering their time and expertise to make this a possibility.
- A donation towards fuel for the ambulance as we pick up our Wish participant and their loved ones and take them where they and their loved ones most want to go – even if that’s simply a trip back to the family home for a day.
A small gift will make a difference, so please – if you do want to donate, only give what you can here.