Paramedics and Crosshouse hospital staff take on 96-mile walk for Ayrshire sensory bus charity

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Ambulance service and hospital staff will unite together in a 96 mile fundraising walk next week in aid of a sensory bus which supports children and young people across Ayrshire.A 50-plus strong group will take on the ‘West Highland Way in a Day Challenge’ and walk from Milngavie to Fort William on Saturday, August 5 to coin it in for Aoife’s Sensory Bus.The bus is named in memory of Aoife Kidd, from Monkton, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 16 months old and sadly passed away in 2019, aged six, after her brave fight.Parents Michael and Evelyn set up the charity Aoife’s Sensory Bus to provide a fun and interactive learning space for children, young people and young adults with any additional support and complex needs in schools and communities in Ayrshire.The bus, donated by Stagecoach, is kitted out with an interactive sensory environment and was launched in September 2020.Dad Michael, a paramedic at Kilmarnock ambulance station, has been leading on fundraising for several years, as annual costs to keep bus on the road tally £60,000.Michael said: “Aoife is our inspiration and behind everything we have achieved so far.

By creating Aoife’s Sensory Bus, I hope that some good can come from something that has been so devastating.“My wife Evelyn and I had noticed throughout our time attending hospitals with Aoife the enormous positive impact that sensory and interactive spaces had on her and other children’s wellbeing.“We are passionate that the purpose of the bus is multi-use to target young people across Ayrshire, who require a sensory integrated approach to improve their wellbeing and assist their educational targets in a creative and meaningful way.“We appreciate the cost of a sensory room is extensive