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In 2019, the TLC Ambulance began delivering special moments to sick children in palliative care, transporting them to their most treasured places to experience that joy one last time. Each trip and experience is captured and commemorated for the family.
The TLC Ambulance service was developed as a response to fill a gap for these families. The original idea for the service was spurred on by conversations with a TLC Mum, Jemima (an Ambulance Victoria Paramedic), who offered invaluable advice as someone who has experienced the loss of a child due to terminal illness.
In 2019, TLC for Kids Mum Jemima Tawse came to us with a vision. She wanted to create a program that enabled sick children one last trip away from hospital. A trip that would allow them time with family. A trip that would create lasting memories for everyone involved.
After 2 years of planning, hard work, fundraising and amazing offers of support, we were able to deliver our very first TLC Ambulance trip: taking Stephie, her mum Kylie and brother Robbie to Werribee Zoo for the day. Stephie has Mitochondrial Disorder and usually has to use a wheelchair to move around, but is an avid animal lover and wanted nothing more than to go to the zoo!
The TLC Ambulance is the first program of its kind in Australia, offering an immersive and engaging experience that differentiates the vehicle from other patient transport vehicles. The TLC Ambulance is more than just a vehicle – it offers a beautiful, memorable day out for families to treasure forever.
Prior to the TLC Ambulance, there was no system available in Australia to provide medically appropriate transport for terminally ill patients, other than standard hospital to hospital, hospital to home or home to hospital transfers.
It came to light that an important component of caring for and humanising terminally ill patients is being able to provide, as much as possible, for a special, final request of the patient and their family. This provides comfort for the patient and enables the family to create happy memories to take with them into the future.
Many palliative patients have medical requirements that make normal transport difficult or impossible unless they utilise an ambulance or a non-emergency patient transport service, and even though these services are available, they are only to transport to and from hospital appointments, not for day trips with their families. This was another core reason the TLC Ambulance Program was created.
TLC Ambulance
The TLC Ambulance has expanded and hit the road in South Australia. We are so excited to bring this unique service to the children and families who need it most.
Learn more...It was just amazing. I got to be a normal parent for a day.
Kylie
Stephie spent hours wandering the zoo and engaging with zookeepers, soaking up the atmosphere and brightening the day of every single person she came across. As an added bonus, the presence of the TLC for Kids team and Ambulance Victoria paramedics enabled Stephie’s mother Kylie to relax and spend one-on-one time with her children. Stephie could finally do simple things and spend time with her brother Robbie (without the burden of stress) which most of us take for granted.
Stephie and her mother Kylie went on to tell Neil Mitchell at 3AW all about it.
For Your Kind Consideration
TLC for Kids is in the business of putting smiles on the faces of sick kids and their families. The TLC Ambulance is one of our services that helps us achieve this. Through supporting our work, you or your business or organisation can help us continue providing this vital program and help create beautiful and lasting memories for so many families. Every dollar donated to our cause ensures we are there when sick children and their families need us the most. If you’d like to discuss a possible sponsorship opportunity, we can work with you to develop a mutually beneficial partnership that makes both business and community sense. Thank you for taking the time to visit our site and learn more about what we do.
Donate TodayThe idea of TLC Ambulance came from Ambulance Victoria ALS paramedic Jemima Tawse, whose daughter Emily, born prematurely at 24 weeks, received support from TLC for Kids before passing away at seven. Initially, TLC for Kids was being donated a retired ambulance, but Ambulance Victoria received a new Sprinter vehicle from Mercedes to help power TLC Ambulance. Thanks to TLC for Kids’ supporters, TLC Ambulance is now on the road fulfilling its purpose with every trip. Ambulance Victoria paramedics will volunteer their time to operate the vehicle, providing support and clinical care during special trips.
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