Carlow's Hope on Wheels embark on volunteer mission to bring ambulances to Africa
TikTok sensation Garron Noone is joining Carlow native John O'Kelly and Borris resident Miriam Donohoe on a week-long mission to deliver ambulances from Ireland to Uganda
Carlow native John O'Kelly and Borris resident Miriam Donohoe will join TikTok sensation Garron Noone and more than 20 Hope On Wheels (HOW) volunteers on a week-long mission to deliver ambulances from Ireland to Uganda to support palliative care.
The HOW convoy will see 11 ambulances driven overland from Mombasa in Kenya to Kampala in Uganda on an epic journey covering more than 1,200 kilometres through stunning countryside, remote roads, and national parks, starting on May 24th.
Both John and Miriam are founder members of Hope on Wheels, an organisation passionate about supporting palliative care in Africa.
Carlow native John owns O'Kelly Steel, one of the biggest steel fabrication businesses in the Middle East, and currently lives in Dubai.
Miriam, who is based in Borris when she is not in Uganda volunteering, and John say they are very excited about the forthcoming trip.
John whose company is one of the convoy sponsors, said: "I have been delivering ambulances to Uganda as a volunteer for several years. On a trip last year I connected with Hospice Africa Uganda and learned of the massive need for palliative care. Less than 11 per cent of the estimated 500,000 people in Uganda in need of pain relief and palliative care can access it. The amount of suffering is huge. So we decided to set up Hope on Wheels and plan a mission to bring ambulances dedicated to those in need of palliative care."
"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. 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.”
Miriam has been volunteering in Uganda for the last ten years and has been based in Kampala full time since January 2025. "I have seen at first hand the need for palliative care through my volunteering work with Hospice Africa Uganda. So often it is not matter of cure for people, especially those with cancer. The goal is to mange pain and to ensure critically ill patients have a dignified end-of-life. The ambulances we are bringing will be used as mobile palliative care clinics, reaching people in remote areas in huge need."
The ambulances, which have been donated by the National Ambulance Service, Dublin Fire Brigade, and Civil Defence have been shipped to the port of Mombasa ahead of the start of the convoy. 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 living in remote communities.
Adding a high-profile voice to the mission are Irish social media star Garron Noone, and entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan, who will both join the convoy and use their platforms to raise awareness of the urgent need for accessible hospice and palliative care services in Uganda.
HOW is inspired by the late Dr Anne Merriman, founder of Hospice Africa Uganda, whose pioneering work brought affordable pain relief and compassionate care to thousands of patients across the continent of Africa. She was born in Liverpool to Irish parents and did her medical training in Dublin. She died last year aged 90.
As well as bringing ambulances, HOW is using the convoy to raise thousands of euros to support hospices in their work in Uganda, with an ambitious target of €500,000.
Mark Mwesiga, Executive Director of the Palliative Care Association of Uganda, who are partnering with HOW on this mission, said: “In Uganda, only about 11% of the 500,000 people that need pain relief and palliative care services receive the care in Uganda. Access to pain relief is a basic human right, yet too many patients suffer without it. “
He added: “ The partnership between PCAU and Hope on Wheels will address preventable suffering for individuals and families in Ugandan communities. Currently services are concentrated in urban areas, and these mobile clinics will help reach the critically ill in remote districts. The partnership will result in thousands of critically ill people getting the pain relief and care they need. It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.“
The Hope on Wheels convoy departs Mombasa on May 24th, with arrival in Kampala on June 1st.