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About Ambulance Wish
The History Of Ambulance Wish
Dutchman Kees Veldboer, while working as an ambulance driver, was engaged in conversation with Mr. Stefanutto as they waited for his delayed appointment. Mr. Stefanutto, a former sailor, expressed his deep desire to sail on a ship one last time. The following day, Kees fulfilled Mr. Stefanutto’s last wish by taking him on a memorable journey around the Rotterdam harbour to visit his old haunts. Inspired by this experience and determined to spread joy, Kees established an organization that honors the last wishes of terminally ill and bedridden individuals.
On 26 February 2007, Stichting Ambulance Wens was founded in the Netherlands, enhancing palliative care for immobile, terminally ill patients. Too many individuals pass away with unfulfilled wishes, often due to their inability to realize these dreams because of their limited mobility.
The initiative created by Stichting Ambulance Wens – also known as the Ambulance Wish Foundation – has gained recognition worldwide. People who wish to support this noble cause can donate to charity, helping ensure that others can fulfill their last wishes.
What we do
Ambulance Wish UK is a registered charity dedicated to fulfilling final wishes and creating lasting memories for children and adults receiving palliative or end-of-life care.
Through our specialist Wish Ambulance service, we help remove the medical, clinical and transport barriers that may prevent someone from visiting a meaningful place, attending a special event or spending precious time with the people they love.
Every wish is unique and planned around the individual needs of the patient. Our experienced team works closely with families, hospices, hospitals and healthcare professionals to ensure each journey is carefully planned, clinically appropriate and individually risk assessed. Our Wish Ambulance vehicles allow patients with complex medical or mobility needs to travel safely, comfortably and with dignity.
A wish could be a day at the seaside, watching a favourite football team, attending a family celebration, revisiting a treasured place or simply returning home to spend meaningful time with loved ones. Whatever the wish may be, our focus is always on the person and what matters most to them.
We believe that receiving palliative or end-of-life care should not prevent someone from experiencing moments of happiness, connection and fulfilment. By bringing together compassionate volunteers, healthcare teams, families and supporters, Ambulance Wish UK helps create precious moments that patients and their loved ones can treasure forever.
Our Wish Ambulance service is provided free of charge, ensuring that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of creating one final, meaningful memory.
How Ambulance Wish UK Came About
Ambulance Wish UK was inspired by the loss of founder Matthew Wilson’s mother, Caroline, in May 2023.
Before she passed away, Caroline had one simple wish: to visit Cromer, enjoy an ice cream and have fish and chips by the sea. As she required medical support to travel, Matthew began planning how to take her safely using an ambulance. Sadly, there was not enough time to make the journey.
This experience became the driving force behind Ambulance Wish UK. Initially developed through Support Medical Group CIC, the service was never intended to make a profit—it was created to give something meaningful back.
Today, Ambulance Wish UK provides a specialist Wish Ambulance service for children and adults receiving palliative or end-of-life care. Each wish is carefully planned with families and healthcare professionals, helping patients visit meaningful places, attend special events and create lasting memories with loved ones.
Caroline’s wish could not be fulfilled, but her memory now inspires the charity to make these precious moments possible for others.
The Legal bits
Charity number: 1214494. If you wish to donate to charity, your contributions can make a significant impact, especially for those in need of palliative care, allowing them to fulfill their last wishes.
Meet the Trustees
Matthew Wilson
Jim Graves MSc MCPara
DR Ruth Holdstock
Matt began his career as a volunteer with St John Ambulance before qualifying as an Ambulance Technician. He has worked across both the NHS and private healthcare sectors and went on to found his own medical services company, which has since merged with a larger organisation.
Following the sudden loss of his mum, Matt was inspired to help
Matt began his career as a volunteer with St John Ambulance before qualifying as an Ambulance Technician. He has worked across both the NHS and private healthcare sectors and went on to found his own medical services company, which has since merged with a larger organisation.
Following the sudden loss of his mum, Matt was inspired to help others create precious final memories with their loved ones. As a co-founder of Ambulance Wish, he brings clinical experience, operational expertise, and a genuine passion for ensuring every wish is delivered with compassion, dignity, and care.
DR Ruth Holdstock
Jim Graves MSc MCPara
DR Ruth Holdstock
Ruth is a former GP now exploring life through a diverse portfolio that includes student health care, occupational health, and medical event work. During her years in general practice she developed a deep appreciation of compassionate, person-centred care, including supporting patients and families through serious illness and end-of-life
Ruth is a former GP now exploring life through a diverse portfolio that includes student health care, occupational health, and medical event work. During her years in general practice she developed a deep appreciation of compassionate, person-centred care, including supporting patients and families through serious illness and end-of-life decisions. She brings both clinical experience and a strong belief in preserving dignity, choice and meaningful experiences for people approaching the end of life. Outside work, Ruth enjoys gardening, philosophy, and life with her two teenage children and her dog, Merlin.
Jim Graves MSc MCPara
Jim Graves MSc MCPara
Jim Graves MSc MCPara
Jim started his career as a paramedic, dedicating many years to caring for people through the ambulance service. His passion for helping others inspired him to progress into an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) role, where he now works in a GP practice in Suffolk. With his wealth of experience and deep understanding of patient needs, J
Jim started his career as a paramedic, dedicating many years to caring for people through the ambulance service. His passion for helping others inspired him to progress into an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) role, where he now works in a GP practice in Suffolk. With his wealth of experience and deep understanding of patient needs, Jim brings empathy, clinical expertise, and a genuine commitment to improving care for those in the community.
Recruiting Now!
Recruiting Now!
Jim Graves MSc MCPara
Recruiting Now!
Recruiting Now!
Recruiting Now!
Fulfilling Last Wishes with Ambulance Wish
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
At Ambulance Wish UK, we believe everyone receiving palliative or end-of-life care deserves the opportunity to fulfil a final wish.
We place patients and their families at the heart of everything we do, providing each wish with compassion, dignity and clinical care. We may not be able to add days to someone’s life, but we can help create m
At Ambulance Wish UK, we believe everyone receiving palliative or end-of-life care deserves the opportunity to fulfil a final wish.
We place patients and their families at the heart of everything we do, providing each wish with compassion, dignity and clinical care. We may not be able to add days to someone’s life, but we can help create meaningful moments and lasting memories in the time they have.
Our Expertise
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
With more than 40 years of combined medical and business experience, our trustees bring diverse expertise and compassion to ensure the best possible palliative care for people in their final days, honoring their last wishes. When you choose to donate to charity, you help us provide essential support for those navigating this critical time.
Fostering strong connections
Fostering strong connections
Fostering strong connections
We bring patients, families, healthcare teams and volunteers together to make meaningful wishes possible. By working collaboratively, we create precious moments, strengthen relationships and help families build lasting memories.
Our passion
Fostering strong connections
Fostering strong connections
Driven by our passion, we strive to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives by encouraging them to donate to charity, ensuring safety, comfort, and a sense of belonging for all, especially in times when last wishes are honored and palliative care is needed.
Our Diamond Sponsors
