Aoife’s Sensory Bus all started from the life experiences of a beautiful, feisty little girl named Aoife who sadly died from a brain tumour in December 2019, at just 6 years old. Aoife is the charity’s inspiration for everything it does and for what it has achieved in such a short amount of time. The charity was created not only to remember Aoife but also to offer a sensory experience to children and young people with additional support and complex needs across Ayrshire. Today, it’s with great pleasure that we announce our partnership with Aoife’s Sensory Bus.
On a bright summer's morning we had the opportunity to welcome Aoife’s Sensory Bus to our head office in Glasgow. We were joined by Michael who is Aoife’s dad, Eilidh who is Aoife’s sister, Lesley who was Aoife’s teacher, and Gary who is the driver and face of the bus. The visit provided a fantastic opportunity for the team at MacGregor and MacDuff to see the bus and interact with its multitude of sensory experiences.
The bus was graciously donated to the charity by Stagecoach and then was kitted out with all the sensory magic by SpaceKraft. During their visit, the bus was plugged in and we were able to see it in all its glory. Bright lights and colours, interactive screens, soft furnishings, and even a smart projector that allows you to play games with the objects it projects onto the floor. It’s a marvellous environment to be in and we can only imagine how beneficial it is to a child with special sensory needs. Each element of the interior is able to be independently controlled which means that the experience can be customised to the specific needs of the person who is there to enjoy it.
Aoife’s Sensory Bus currently travels across Ayrshire, providing a sensory and interactive learning experience to young people to improve their wellbeing and assist their educational targets in a creative and meaningful way. The cost of creating a sensory room can be extensive and unobtainable for some schools which makes Aoife’s Sensory Bus such a brilliant option.
While we loved the opportunity to experience Aoife’s Sensory Bus first-hand, the real reason for the visit was so we could present Michael with the charity's new tartan. The tartan design started as a competition to see who could come up with the most fitting option for Aoife’s Sensory Bus. This generated loads of designs, of which six were shortlisted but still, no winner could be decided. It was at this point that Aoife’s sister Eilidh was given the deciding vote.
The tartan features blue, yellow and pink. The yellow and pink represent Aoife and the blue represents the beach and water, which she loved so much. The name of the blue in the tartan is called Luskentyre, which is an area on Harris and a place that Aoife had visited the summer before she passed away, making it the perfect shade to celebrate her memory. It’s a beautiful tartan with an equally stunning name, Aoife: Warrior Princess.
The tartan material that was handed over to Michael will be made into various items and most notably a kilt, that Michael will be wearing at the upcoming Charity Ball. We have donated a voucher for a full kilt outfit that will be auctioned off at the Charity Ball. This auction will hopefully help fund the running of Aoife’s Sensory Bus and other expenses that are incurred while delivering amazing sensory experiences across Ayrshire. At MacGregor and MacDuff we are proud to be a small part of such an inspiring charity and can’t wait to see them continue their mission.
If you’d like to donate to Aoife’s Sensory Bus, click here and visit their website.
