Vale Kees Veldboer

Palliative Care Queensland was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Stichting Ambulance Wens founder Kees Veldboer.

Kees was the inspiration and driving force behind Ambulance Wish international. He started Stichting Ambulance Wens, through a desire to create a moment of joy for former sailor Mr Stefanutto, who wished to sail on a ship one last time and then spawned a global movement with the same aim.

Palliative Care Queensland CEO, Shyla Mills, paid tribute to Kees, “The Palliative Care Queensland and particularly our Ambulance Wish Queensland program staff and volunteers would like to pay our respects to Kees and offer our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

“Kees was the inspiration for all that we do through our Ambulance Wish Queensland program, and he is the namesake for our wish bears, which are given to all our wish recipients.

“I was fortunate to meet with Kees in 2019 at the first Ambulance Wish International conference in Netherlands along with our program steering committee member Anne-Marie and our Wish Manager at the time Rianne. His passion for Ambulance Wish was infectious and he inspired us and so many others worldwide to fulfil last wishes and create memories forever. Through his vision, we have created one of the most successful palliative care awareness-raising programs worldwide. He has created an amazing legacy and we will be forever grateful to Kees and his wife Ineke.”