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A Couple Have Converted An Old Ambulance Into A Motorhome

A Couple Have Converted An Old Ambulance Into A Motorhome

Mark Bonito and Sophie Why have spent £7,000 altogether - including buying the vehicle and transforming it

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

With more and more people opting for a staycation this year, the real winners are those who already have motorhomes - like this couple who can holiday in an old converted ambulance.

Mark Bonito, 40, and Sophie Why, 35, snapped up the £5,000 ($6,500) Fiat Ducato at an auction last year after it could no longer be used by medics. One man's trash is another man's treasure, right?

The ambulance before the renovation.
SWNS
Doesn't look fit for a holiday.
SWNS

They pair had to strip out all the life saving kit before installing a desk area, beds, a little kitchen and living room, for an extra £2,000 ($2,600).

Sadly the pair also had to remove the flashing blue lights, which would have helped them beat the traffic and firm up their spot on the beach.

But Mark, a web developer, and Sophie, a radiographer, admit their unusual mobile home - named Florence after Florence Nightingale - still turns heads on the road.

The ambulance now.
SWNS

Mark, from Chertsey, Surrey, said: "We've been to Dorset for the amazing panoramic views of the sea, with a 4am alarm to sit and watch the sunrise with a cup of tea.

"We've had a few forest adventures, some riverside stays and last weekend we stayed with the children in the South Down's National Park.

"When we've been travelling to these places and there has been heavy traffic, we always say how handy it would be to still have the blue lights. We often get a second glance from other road users too!"

The kitchen area.
SWNS

Mark wanted to use as many reclaimed items as possible to do up the ambulance, so they scouted car boot sales, charity shops and garage clear outs.

The kitchen area was built from a block found in a skip. The original ambulance cabinet is now a sink.

Mark redecorated the outside of the van so it still resembled an ambulance but couldn't be mistaken for one, and added an LED light bar above the windscreen.

During the renovation.
SWNS
SWNS

The refurb took two months, and they went on their first trip this month, after Mark passed the necessary enhanced driving tests needed to drive such a heavy vehicle.

Sophie said: "Mark is always the first to admit that some research should have been carried out, as owning an ambulance does come with its complications.

"Rescuing a service vehicle that had done a heroic job from being scrapped seemed the right thing to do."

SWNS

Mark added: "I work from the van remotely which is really comfortable. I did all the electrics, heating and internet. We have a real passion for cooking, and have our own blog where we share recipes that can be easily cooked in vans whilst on the road.

"Being part of the van life community is amazing because you're not tied down and you can visit the most beautiful places. It is incredible and I wouldn't change it for the world."

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK Community, Community, UK