BUMBLEance is in honour of Saoirse and Liam, the two special children of Tony and Mary Heffernan. In 2009 Saoirse was diagnosed with a rare and fatal brain disorder called Batten’s Disease. In 2010,
Liam was diagnosed with the same. Having two children with critical illnesses, the Heffernan’s spent many hours on the road going from hospital to home for many emotional appointments and difficult surgeries.

The Heffernan’s realised the need for a child focused service dedicated to transporting children who are seriously ill, while also delivering smiles, thus the idea for BUMBLEance was born!
The idea was that the service would take the stress out of a journey for parents, and make it comfortable, safe and enjoyable for the child.

Following Saoirse’s death in 2011, only aged 5, the Heffernan’s made their wonderful idea a truly remarkable reality. However, in 2014, Tony and Mary sadly experienced their own service when their son Liam passed away at 5 years old, just like his sister. They undertook
a different type of journey, the end of a life ‘Angel Trip’. BUMBLEance took Liam home for his final journey on earth in a compassionate and caring environment. With their experiences, their determination and their children’s smiles, Tony and Mary have taken BUMBLEance and the Saoirse Foundation to new heights, serving as many children as their fleet of 15 ambulance’s will allow. And now the sights are set higher...