Stichting Ambulance Wens

What Stichting Ambulance Wens does

Stichting Ambulance Wens is a Dutch nonprofit foundation (Stichting) founded in 2007 by ambulance driver Kees Veldboer Sr. and headquartered in Rhoon (near Rotterdam), Netherlands. It operates a unique end-to-end service that fulfills the last wishes of immobile, terminally ill patients in the Netherlands. The core operational asset is a fleet of 10 specially equipped ambulances configured with medical equipment, comfortable bedding, and features for extended journeys, staffed by trained volunteer drivers and nurses. Wish planners coordinate logistics from intake through execution, handling requests ranging from beach visits, family gatherings, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and funerals to international travel (e.g., trips to Croatia and the Czech Republic). A dedicated Kinderwens service addresses pediatric patients via a separate subdomain and registration process.

The foundation fulfills an average of 7-10 wishes per day and reached a cumulative milestone of 25,000 wishes in January 2026. All services are provided free of charge to patients and families; the organization is entirely funded by donations, gifts, sponsorship, and a corporate "Friends" (Vrienden) membership program requiring a minimum €1,500 annual contribution. Key long-term sponsors include Volkswagen Pon Financial Services (multi-year social sponsorship since May 2022), Roparun (committed to fund ambulance replacement through 2035), and DSW Zorgverzekeraar (since 2017, providing national visibility through Excelsior Rotterdam football shirts). The foundation holds ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) status, making donations tax-deductible for Dutch taxpayers. Leadership transitioned to Kees Veldboer Jr. following his father's death in 2021, maintaining founder-family continuity. The foundation's 300+ volunteers, community-led referral model through hospices and palliative care networks, and royal recognition (King Willem-Alexander attended the 25,000th wish commemoration in January 2026) underscore its deeply embedded national position.

Name

Stichting Ambulance Wens

Legal name

Stichting Ambulance Wens

Website

https://ambulancewens.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stichting Ambulance Wens is a Dutch nonprofit foundation that fulfills last wishes of immobile, terminally ill patients through a fleet of 10 specially equipped ambulances and 300+ trained volunteers, operating nationwide in the Netherlands since 2007 and funded entirely by donations and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Palliative Care Transport Services

NAICS

Ambulance Services (621910)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Ambulance Fleet, Equipment & Logistics Services (HLAFANAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hospice Care Coordination & Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) Case Management (HSABAFAJ), In-Home Hospice Physician / Nurse Practitioner Visits (HSABAFAM), Emergency Response, Assistance & Medical Evacuation Services (THACAEAC)

Keywords

• Palliative patient transport
• Last wish fulfillment
• Hospice ambulance service
• Terminal patient care
• Nonprofit medical transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Gifts: The organization is entirely funded by donations, gifts, and sponsorship. All services are provided completely free of charge to patients and their families. No revenue is generated from patients.
2. Corporate Friends Program: Annual corporate donations from 'Friends' (Vrienden) of the foundation, with minimum annual contribution of €1,500 providing benefits like event invitations, newsletter access, meeting room usage, and marketingtoolkit.
3. Sponsorship: Multi-year corporate sponsorships from companies like Volkswagen Pon Financial Services and event-based sponsorships (e.g., Roparun's ambulance replacement commitment through 2035)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stichting Ambulance Wens is a Dutch nonprofit foundation that fulfills last wishes of immobile terminal patients using a fleet of 10 specially equipped ambulances, trained volunteer drivers, and nurses. The organization handles the entire wish process end-to-end, from intake through execution, including complex logistics and occasional international trips, and provides all services completely free of charge to patients and their families.

Product overview

Stichting Ambulance Wens operates as a single, unified nonprofit service—fulfilling last wishes of terminal, immobile patients across the Netherlands. The core offering is the Ambulance Wens Service, delivered through a fleet of 10 specially equipped ambulances staffed by volunteer drivers and nurses. Supporting services include a dedicated Kinderwens Service for pediatric patients, inspirational meeting spaces (Vriendenkamer and Inspiratiezaal) available to Friends members, a children's information folder for distribution, and public events for fundraising and commemoration. All wish fulfillments are provided free of charge, funded entirely through donations, sponsorships, and the Friends membership program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ambulance Wens Service (Last Wish Fulfillment) Core service that fulfills last wishes of terminal, immobile patients using 10 specially equipped ambulances, trained volunteer drivers, and nurses. Handles the entire wish process from preparation to execution, including domestic and occasional international journeys, provided completely free of charge to patients and families.
• Kinderwens Service (Children's Wish Service) Specialized service for terminal children's last wishes, available through a dedicated subdomain (kids.ambulancewens.nl) with a separate wish registration process and dedicated children's folder for distribution at schools, healthcare facilities, and hospital pediatric departments.
• Donatie Programma's (Donation Programs) Multiple donation options including individual donations, corporate donations, 'Vrienden' (Friends) membership (minimum €1,500/year), periodic giving, legacies, and sponsorships. All wish fulfillment services are provided free of charge to patients and funded through these donation streams.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,000 wishes fulfilled since 2007
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

46 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• AGAMminorOthersMercedes-Benz dealer for Southwest Netherlands region. Provides automotive services and support. Believes in mobility with meaning.
• TulatechminorOthersAmbulance technology specialist. Long-standing partnership from foundation's establishment. Provides technical expertise for ambulance equipment.
• Het RegiehuisminorOthersVideo productions, media training, strategy, events and congress organization. Created website and video/media campaigns. Over 15 years of service to companies like RTV Rijnmond, Gemeente Rotterdam, VNO-NCW.
• MennensminorOthersMarket leader in lifting and hoisting technology for 135+ years. Serves construction, industry, logistics, transport, and offshore sectors. Carries warm heart for the foundation.
• B2L Cargocare BVminorOthersWorldwide cargo shipping company. Believes in power of care, compassion, and social involvement. Deeply moved by foundation's mission.
• DispocareminorOthersInnovative company distributing healthcare products. Focus on time-saving solutions, safety, and comfort. Emphasizes socially responsible entrepreneurship and sustainability.
• SligrominorOthersHospitality wholesaler. Employees choose which organizations to support for maximum engagement and personal connection. Large in capability, small when needed.
• De Waal AutogroepminorOthersVolkswagen, Audi, SEAT, and Škoda dealer. Believes in freedom and mobility. Supports foundation's ultimate form of freedom and humanity.
• Van Doorn AutoserviceminorOthersAuto maintenance and repair. Regularly services foundation's vehicles. Supports foundation's mission to fulfill beautiful wishes.
• The Real SignmakerminorOthersSignage company. Involved from first ambulance with development and application of lettering. Continues to support with contributions.
• Schaffenburg Office Furniture B.V.minorOthersDutch manufacturer-wholesaler of office furniture. Provided complete office interior for headquarters. Believes in creating environments where people feel at home.
• SportvisunieminorOthersSports fishing union. Corporate Friend supporting foundation.
• Van Leeuwen ConstructieminorOthersConstruction company. Corporate Friend.
• Markat FotografieminorOthersPhotography studio. Captures emotions and gratitude during wishes. Corporate Friend.
• Marts ProjectenminorOthersHousing projects company. Corporate Friend.
• Kandt B.V.minorOthersConstruction company. Corporate Friend.
• Boerderij HoogerwaardminorOthersEvent venue and farm. Corporate Friend proud to support.
• MDS MedicalminorOthersSpecialist in tracheostomy devices. Provides comfort in palliative phase. Corporate Friend.
• Van Os TimmerwerkenminorOthersConstruction, renovation, and restoration company. Corporate Friend.
• Remade IndustryminorOthersCreates beauty from waste. Supports foundation with recycled materials.
• NedermeijerminorOthersMicrosoft 365 training company. Partner since 2024.
• De HypothekerminorOthersIndependent mortgage advisor, 35+ years market leader. Corporate Friend.
• Westfalen MedicalminorOthersMedical supplies. Corporate Friend.
• Holland HuurtminorOthersAerial work platform rental. Corporate Friend.
• NederlandbouwtminorOthersConstruction industry supporter. Corporate Friend since 2026.
• Afval Containers RijnmondminorOthersRotterdam family waste collection company. Part of Van Leeuwen Recycling Group.
• BandimexminorOthersCorporate Friend.
• brandparkminorOthersBrand, web, content, and marketing agency. Believes success gains true value when helping others.
• Center For TestmaterialsminorOthersOne-stop-shop for test materials. Corporate Friend.
• QuookerminorOthersKitchen products. Corporate Friend.
• De Vries TrappenminorOthersStair construction with environmentally conscious choices. Corporate Friend.
• Drukkerij PlusprintminorOthersPrinting company. Long-standing warm relationship since foundation establishment.
• HJF AdvocatenminorOthersLaw firm for entrepreneurs and executives. Corporate Friend.
• SligrominorOthersHospitality wholesaler. Corporate Friend.
• Menoor BewegwijzeringminorOthersSignage company. Corporate Friend.
• Mercedes BenzminorOthersAutomotive brand. Corporate Friend.
• Limarq bvminorOthersEnvironmental consultancy specializing in wastewater for medium-sized companies.
• AGAMminorOthersMercedes-Benz dealer Southwest Netherlands. Corporate Friend.
• Valentijn OpticiensminorOthersEye and ear care. Corporate Friend.
• Volkswagen PON Financial ServicesminorOthersFinancial services for Volkswagen Group. Corporate Friend.
• Heijenoord DienstverleningminorOthersService company. Corporate Friend.
• SwashminorOthersCare products. Supports foundation's mission to give beautiful day in final life phase.
• ViaMensaminorOthersExpertise bureau for vitality, absenteeism, and reintegration. Corporate Friend.
• Jeroen van Leeuwen MetaalkonstruktieminorOthersMetalworking company in Green Heart region. Custom products.
• Brouwerij EbontreeminorOthersMicrobrewery from Dordrecht. Personal connection after foundation fulfilled father's last wish. Supports with craft beers.
• VTTIminorOthersEnergy to Move Tomorrow. Donates deposit money from cans and bottles to foundation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Stichting Hospice Demeter: Dutch hospice providing terminal care. Not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem participant and referral partner, since Stichting Ambulance Wens receives many patient referrals from hospice organizations serving the same terminal population.
• Roparun Foundation: Dutch non-stop relay race raising funds for palliative care and cancer-related causes. Functions as a long-term funding partner (ambulance replacement through 2035) rather than a service peer, but operates within the same donation-funded palliative-care ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Stichting Vaarwens: Dutch nonprofit fulfilling wishes via boat trips for disabled, elderly, and terminally ill individuals. Closely comparable mission of experiential wish fulfillment for vulnerable populations, with similar donation-funded and volunteer-driven operating model.
• Stichting Make-A-Wish Nederland: Dutch affiliate of Make-A-Wish fulfilling last wishes for critically ill children. Directly comparable mission (wish fulfillment for terminally/critically ill populations), donation-funded nonprofit model, and national brand presence in the Netherlands.
• The Ambulance Wish Foundation (UK): UK-based charity fulfilling last wishes of terminally ill patients via specialized ambulance transport. Near-identical service model, patient population, and operational concept, making it the most direct international peer.
• Stichting Opkikker: Dutch charity organizing free day-out experiences for chronically and terminally ill children and their families. Comparable mission (experiential wish fulfillment for ill children), donation-funded model, and national volunteer ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Make-A-Wish Foundation International: Global leader in wish fulfillment for children with critical illnesses. Comparable mission and donation-funded operating model, but operates at vastly larger scale and is not specialized in terminal immobile-patient transport like Stichting Ambulance Wens.

Emerging players

• CliniClowns: Established Dutch nonprofit sending professional clowns to brighten the lives of sick and disabled children in hospitals and care institutions. Shares a healthcare-adjacent emotional-support mission and donation-funded model, though delivered through in-person visits rather than transport-based experiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StAmbulancewens
• Facebookfacebook.com/StichtingAmbulancewens
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stichting-ambulance-wens

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stichting Ambulance Wens