Dunshaughlin couple join Garron Noone on aid convoy to Uganda

A Dunshaughlin couple will join TikTok star Garron Noone and more than 20 volunteers on a humanitarian mission delivering ambulances from Ireland to Uganda to support palliative care services for critically ill patients.

Chris Rooney and Elaine Dixon, who are based in Dunshaughlin, will take part in the Hope on Wheels convoy which will see 11 ambulances driven more than 1,200 kilometres from Mombasa in Kenya to Kampala in Uganda later this month.

The ambulances, donated by the National Ambulance Service, Dublin Fire Brigade and Civil Defence, have already been shipped to Kenya ahead of the convoy which begins on 24 May.

Partnering with the Palliative Care Association of Uganda and the Ugandan Ministry of Health, the ambulances will be officially handed over to hospices for use as mobile outreach palliative care clinics, bringing essential care and pain relief to critically ill patients in remote communities.

Ms Dixon, who works as a maintenance manager on the M3 motorway and also runs Dixiedoos Dog Grooming, said she was inspired to join the mission after visiting Uganda last year.

“When I heard about this opportunity I didn’t hesitate. The needs for palliative care in Uganda are huge, with less than 11 per cent of the 500,000 people in serious need of pain relief and palliative care accessing it. Thousands of people die every year suffering and in serious pain. Anything that can be done to increase access to care is worth supporting,” she said.

“Of course, myself and Chris are also excited to be travelling with an amazing group of people, including Garron Noone, and seeing a lot of East Africa.”

The convoy is made up of volunteers from all walks of life including past and serving members of An Garda Síochána, a former journalist, a GP, businesspeople, farmers and retirees.

TikTok star Garron Noone said: “I’m incredibly proud to be part of the Hope on Wheels convoy. I am delighted to support this cause and encourage others to support it.”

Entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan, who is also joining the convoy, said the mission resonated strongly with him through his work improving how pain medication is delivered.

“I firmly believe access to pain relief shouldn’t depend on where you live. Hope on Wheels is helping bridge that gap in a very real and immediate way,” he said.

Hope on Wheels chairperson Tom Doyle said the group decided to organise the dedicated convoy after seeing the scale of need for palliative care services during a previous trip to Uganda.

“This convoy is about more than delivering ambulances. It’s about delivering pain relief, dignity, comfort, and care to people at the most vulnerable time in their lives,” he said.

“With Garron and Gareth joining us, and dedicated volunteers from all over Ireland, we hope to shine a light on the incredible work being done on the ground and inspire even greater support.”

The initiative, inspired by the late Dr Anne Merriman, founder of Hospice Africa Uganda, is also aiming to raise €500,000 to support hospice and palliative care services in Uganda.

The convoy is expected to arrive in Kampala on 1 June, where handover events will take place.

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