Ayrshire ambulance staff walking for Whiteleys Retreat

The bus is named in memory of Aoife Kidd who was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 16-months-old.

She underwent multiple surgeries, 18 months of chemotherapy, along with radiotherapy, and was part of a clinical trial at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital. She passed away in 2019, aged six, after her brave fight.

Dad Michael, a paramedic at Kilmarnock Ambulance Station, has been leading on fund-raising for several years.

On September 28, the group will take on the River Ayr Way, to raise money for Whiteleys, just outside Alloway, and the upkeep of the sensory bus, which has been donated to the charity.

Michael said: "I have run the sensory bus charity for several years in memory of my daughter, but we have taken the decision to wind up the charity.

"The charity took off more than I ever expected and it became almost like a full time job in itself.

"One of our buses is going to be handed over to Whiteleys to use for the same purpose, and it will still have Aoife's name.

"She used to go there and the staff were all so lovely, so it's a nice wee link and hopefully we can raise a lot of money for them."

A 50-strong team of paramedics took on the West Highland Way last year, and Michael decided to host this year's fund-raiser a bit closer to home. 

He added: "Last year went better than I could have ever expected and we raised the best part of £6,000 for the sensory bus.

"We are going a bit more local this year and will do the River Ayr Way, with about 40 of us from a mix of stations and the emergency departments at Crosshouse and Ayr.

"We will split into two teams and start at each end, before meeting in the middle at around Catrine.

"It would be amazing if we could raise more than last year. All funds will go to Whiteleys and to help keep the bus on the road, and to keep Aoife's legacy going."

To donate to the fundraiser, go to justgiving.com/page/riverayrwayinaday.