Pensioner asks NHS to give him an old ambulance to take his one-legged wife on holiday to Blackpool 

The NHS should give away an old ambulance so a full time carer can take his one-legged wife on a romantic break, he has claimed.

Derek Bozward, 66, has called on the National Health Service to let him have an ex fleet ambulance to do up so he can whisk his wheelchair-bound wife away to her favourite British beach resort – Blackpool.

The romantic husband from St John’s in Worcester wants to take wife Wendy to her favourite spot after they have both suffered from a catalogue of health problems. 

The pricey vans can sell for between £2,500 and £20,000 after they are given back to lease companies from the NHS – which then sell them on.

Mr Bozward recently discovered old ambulances are auctioned off in Merthyr Tydfil and called for one to be donated to him instead. 

Derek Bozward and his wife Wendy who want a used ambulance to convert as a mode of transport for Wendy who is disabled to get to Blackpool

Mr Bozward who was treated in the intensive care unit for an aneurysm after collapsing in the street in November 2015 was not entirely happy with his care, so believes the NHS could see the ambulance as compensation.

The father-of-three with seven grandchildren wants to put a smile on his wife’s face following her diagnoses with diabetes which led to the amputation of her leg, multiple heart attacks and a brain tumour.

He said: ‘It’s case of ‘give somebody a fish and they can feed themselves for a day, give them a fishing rod and they can feed themselves for life’.

‘We want the ambulance so we can go on holiday perhaps two or three times a year.

‘We’ve both spent so much time in ambulances we thought we may as well get one we can use to go on holiday in.

Ex NHS ambulances are given back to lease companies before they are often auctioned off for thousands of pounds 

Ex NHS ambulances are given back to lease companies before they are often auctioned off for thousands of pounds 

‘Previously we have had to use public transport and it’s not very friendly.

‘My wife has her prosthetic leg and it’s going to be very hard to stay on coaches for four or five hours.

‘Then you are only in Blackpool for four hours and have to rush back on the coach.

‘Also, the price of tickets means we would spend £100 before we even get there.

‘I would like to take her to Blackpool again.

‘She likes it there, by the sea. She isn’t very hard to please. I think that is going to make her so happy.

‘Just to see her face is going to be outstanding.

‘If we could get an ex-ambulance it would be wonderful.

‘All I want to put in it is a kitchen, washing facilities for me and my wife including a shower, and two beds.

‘We can’t live without each other. We are really looking forward to going away together.’

Mr Bozward said he thinks it would be ‘nice’ of the NHS to help him and his wife of 41 years out.

Derek Bozward of Worcester believes the NHS could see the ambulance as compensation for what he believes was sub-standard treatment in 2015

Derek Bozward of Worcester believes the NHS could see the ambulance as compensation for what he believes was sub-standard treatment in 2015

The pair have not had a week-long holiday since they got married in 1980. 

He began his mission to get her away when he overheard her sister asking where she would go on holiday this year, to which his wife replied ‘nowhere’.

If successful the full-time carer says he will fit the vehicle out with a bed and a bathroom – as well as a fridge.

Their last holiday was a day trip to Blackpool on a coach and the pair hope to return when they are not restricted to a timetable. 

Asked why the plan involves an ambulance the pair said it is for wheelchair space.

Mrs Bozward who is delighted with the plan said: ‘At least we would be able to get out. If it’s your own you can have it converted to meet your needs. If you buy a motorhome there’s not always enough room to put your wheelchair in.

‘I’d love to go back to Blackpool. They last time we went was on a coach trip and we barely had time for fish and chips on the pier before we had to come back again.



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