By Gergana Krasteva
More young patients will ride to surgery behind the wheel of a mini Tesla after a car club’s second donation to Oxford Children's Hospital in less than six months.
It is ideal for children up to eight years old and staff hope the unusual journey will be a fun and relaxing experience for patients on their way to the anaesthetic room.
Kari Ashton, an advanced nurse practitioner on the Craniofacial Unit where the first mini Tesla is based, said earlier this year: "The prospect of going to theatre for an operation can be scary and difficult for children, but we are confident that being able to drive the mini T will act as a great distraction, and make them feel much calmer."
Worth more than £600, the electric car has a seat for a teddy passenger and features working headlights, turbine rims and a slick red finish.
The top-of-the-range toy, based on the Model S, charges in less than three hours and is powered by flight speed lithium-ion technology.
Read also: Fireworks displays in Oxfordshire this year – what to see and when
Both of the mini Teslas have been donated to the hospital by the members of the Tesla Owners Group UK, who raised funds to buy 150 of the toy cars.
Deryn Harvey, coordinator of the owners group, said: “Oxford Children’s Hospital is especially deserving as it was nominated by several of our local members in gratitude for the great service provided to their children over many years.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here