Welsh Ambulance Service's 'Wish' initiative marks milestone 100th journey
15.08.25
A Welsh Ambulance Service initiative helping patients at the end of life has made its milestone 100th journey.
The ‘Wish Ambulance’ initiative enables terminally ill patients across Wales to have a memory-making last journey to their favourite destination.
Since its creation in 2019, it has transported patients and their loved ones to concerts, sporting events, birthday parties, cafés, museums and even to the beach.
One terminally ill man accompanied his daughter down the aisle just six days before he died, while one woman watched her teenage son play football for the final time.
More than 500 off-duty ambulance workers across Wales give up their time to transport patients using non-emergency vehicles not in service that day.
Ed O’Brian, Clinical Lead for Palliative and End of Life Care at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Reaching the 100th Wish Ambulance journey is such a special moment for Team Wish.
“It’s a powerful reminder of what kindness, teamwork and compassion can achieve.
“What makes this milestone even more special is that it’s entirely driven by the incredible Welsh Ambulance Service volunteers, who are the heart and soul of every Wish journey.
“Their dedication, empathy and unwavering commitment bring comfort, laughter, and smiles to patients and their loved ones when it’s needed the most.”
Last week, volunteers transported Annette ‘Nettie’ Burtenshaw from the University Hospital of Wales to City Hospice’s Forever Flowers Celebration of Life event at Cardiff Castle where the 64-year-old gave a rousing performance with her beloved Rock Choir.
Nettie, who was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2021, and later bone cancer, called it ‘amazeballs’ to be the 100th Wish patient.
The Penarth native said: “I can’t put into words how much it meant to perform again with the choir, and the look on their faces when I turned up and surprised them in my uniform and with my flag was just like ‘wow.’
“It felt amazing – it was like ‘Oh my God, I’m here.’ I never thought I’d make it.
“There was no way on earth I could have done it without the Wish volunteers, they were angels.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
In 2023, Wish Ambulance was named Best Team in The Sun newspaper’s Who Cares Wins Awards and presented with the award by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Mark Harris, the Trust’s Assistant Director of Operations (Ambulance Care) said: “As a Trust, we are honoured to have been able to help Nettie and all our other patients to fulfil their Wish.
“We’re very grateful and proud of our wonderful team of volunteers who, despite having very challenging day jobs, continue to give up their precious time off to help patients and their families make these magical moments.”
Wish Ambulance is a voluntary initiative, and the running costs are supported by donations from the public.
To donate to the Welsh Ambulance Service Charity, and to pledge your support to the Wish Ambulance initiative, visit: Wish Ambulance Service | Give as you Live Donate
PICTURE CREDIT: City Hospice