THE MARIE Keating Cancer Awareness ambulances promised by pop star Ronan Keating are being kept under wraps at a secret location in the midlands, pending a launch next month.
Kildare man Mr David Hall, who is organising the charity set up by the former Boyzone star in memory of his mother, who died of breast cancer, said the vehicles were being fitted out.
The charity, to be known as the Marie Keating Cancer Awareness Foundation, will use three ambulances in an outreach service, bringing medical help to towns and villages throughout the State.
After months of speculation about the start-up date for the charity, Mr Hall said the launch date had been set for April 20th.
It will be launched in Cork in the morning, Galway in the afternoon and in Dublin in the evening. He did not want to reveal the location of the ambulances as it may detract from the publicity surrounding the launch, he said.
The charity is to be based in offices in Leixlip, Co Kildare. "Ninety per cent of the work is done and the arrangements are in place," Mr Hall said.
"Ronan has been criticised over this but Ronan being Ronan he is not afraid to use his publicity to push it forward now. We are hoping for a major launch culminating on The Late Late Show," he said.
Staff are being recruited and funds are to be raised by public donation.
A series of meetings with medical professionals is also taking place, said Mr Hall. The most recent was last night in Dublin's Burlington Hotel, where "guidance was being sought from nurses involved in the care of cancer patients".
"Initially the ambulances will be targeted at women and women's health issues but phase two will involve health screening for men and we hope to equip the ambulances for that," he said.
The ambulances are being provided at a cost of £80,000 each and start-up costs are around £500,000, he added.