12 year old boy is the first patient to use BUMBLEair helicopter

The flight was arranged by the Saoirse Foundation, the charity behind the national BUMBLEance service that transports sick children to and from hospital.

12 year old Keith Gallagher, who is battling cancer, was flown from his native Mayo to Dublin yesterday as part of the new BUMBLEair service. The first ever flight was a trial run, but the Saoirse Foundation hopes to make it a more regular fixture of the services it offers.

BUMBLEance operates a fleet of specially kitted-out interactive ambulances providing free transport for sick children nationally.

Picture Conor McCabe Photography.

The helicopter was flown by commercial pilot Ryan Hanrahan, who donated his time and the use of the helicopter at his own expense. The flight went off without a hitch:

Thanks to our #BeeTeam @BUMBLEance for making @BUMBLEair_IRL a reality for #KingBee Keith from #Mayo now off for Chemo #LoveBUMBLEanceKIDS pic.twitter.com/FLn4wISbST

— BUMBLEance (@BUMBLEance) July 2, 2017

Touch Down! Our 1st ever @BUMBLEair_IRL flight completed safely, #KingBee Keith Gallagher fm #Mayo 1st child onboard & his 1st flight also pic.twitter.com/7ZqCyYFmkN

— BUMBLEance (@BUMBLEance) July 2, 2017

You can find out more about the BUMBLEance services on offer here.