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Subaru Forester Sick Kids Ambulance Stolen

jamesm

By jamesm
in Scottish Scoobies

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jamesm

jamesm

Posted
Posted

Just spotted this. Words fail me!

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/09/20/callous-thief-steals-scotland-s-only-specialist-kids-ambulance-from-on-call-medic-s-home-86908-23433114/

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SCOTLAND'S specialist ambulance for sick children has been stolen from outside an on-call medic's home.

The Subaru Forester 4x4 - bought last year after major fundraising efforts - was nabbed by a thief who pocketed the car keys during a housebreaking.

Last night, medics and charity workers who helped raise money to buy the rapid-response, all-terrain vehicle were "devastated".

The missing vehicle, which is decked out with intensive care equipment, is clearly marked as a kids' ambulance and has flashing lights and sirens.

Police confirmed it was taken from outside a house in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, overnight.

It was found to be missing at 7am yesterday when the burglary in Thomson Avenue was discovered.

The ambulance is used to get sick kids from all over Scotland to the country's two children's intensive care units in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The vehicle, operated by the NHS's Scottish Paediatric Intensive Care Transport Service, gets medical teams to sick children quicker than normal ambulances.

Spring It came into operation in spring 2010 and it was a godsend for medics during last winter's big freeze.

They managed to reach every patient even though Scotland was at a standstill.

The Subaru was partfunded by a s35,000 donation to Yorkhill children's hospital from the McRae Vision Charity, founded in honour of late rally star Colin McRae.

Dr Jim Beattie, of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's women's and children's services, said: "We are shocked and saddened.

"It is hugely disappointing that someone would steal such a vehicle, especially as it is very clearly marked as a paediatric ITU vehicle.

"If anyone has information about this vehicle, we'd urge them to contact the police."

Yorkhill fundraising manager Mhairi Wotherspoon said the charity were "devastated" by the news.

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amccan10

amccan10

Posted
Posted

Good news on this one, Subaru UK are supplying a replacement free of charge :)

Copied from their facebook page:

"Subaru UK

Many of you have been asking about the recent theft of a Subaru Forester ambulance in Scotland. We recently released this statement to the local press:

"Subaru UK was deeply saddened to hear that a Forester 2.0D XC donated last year to the Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, and co-ordinated by the Colin McRae Vision Charity, was stolen at 7:00 am on Tuesday, 20 September, 2011 and has since been discovered burnt out.

The £24,070 paediatric vehicle was stolen from outside an on-call medic’s home. It provided invaluable support to sick children from all over Scotland, transporting young patients swiftly and safely from rural areas, to intensive care units in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Edinburgh-based Subaru dealership, A F Noble & Son, will be supplying the Yorkhill Children’s Foundation with a replacement vehicle while Subaru UK complete preparations for a replacement Forester free-of-charge. This is expected to be delivered within the next fortnight.

Marketing Director of Subaru UK, Kenyon Neads, commented: “Mindless acts of theft and arson such as this defy logic and have a huge impact on the lives of others. Everyone here at Subaru UK was devastated to hear the news and we are doing everything we can to return Scotland’s only specialist children’s ambulance service back to normality.”

We will give you more information, including details of the handover of the replacement vehicle, as soon as we have them."

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davey l wrx

davey l wrx

Posted
Posted

It was bad enough stealing the motor in the first place but too burn it out was just sick and twisted.

Shocking, hopefully he gets what he deserves.

Good news though, Subaru UK are supply a replacement vehicle for a few weeks while they prep a new forrester to replace the burnt out one free of charge (can't get the works computer to sort out a link). They have released a press statement though so at least the paramedics will have a motor to use and a no cost replacement on the way. Thumbs up for Subaru on that one then....

Now who do we talk to about chocolate pistons and ringland seals then?

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