Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is inviting horse riding enthusiasts to join KSS Ride to help the life-saving charity raise vital funds.
Taking place at Kent Showground, Detling on 21st and 22nd August – and ‘virtually’ for those who are unable to attend the venue but who would like to join in closer to home – this will be the charity’s first equestrian event and it is being organised to help KSS raise much needed funds. It costs £15M each year to operate the air ambulance service for Kent, Surrey and East and West Sussex, and 88% of this comes from public donations and fundraising.
KSS is one of the busiest air ambulance charities in the UK, serving a population of 4.8 million and attending, on average, 2,500 missions each year.
KSS Ride, sponsored by Fidelity International, invites riders and their horses to enjoy a gentle seven-mile route around the Kent Showground and surrounding beautiful countryside, finishing with a lap of the renowned Astor Ring. It is open to riders of all abilities and ages (U18s are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult) and, for younger or less confident riders requiring a lead rein, there will be a shorter four-mile route available on the Sunday afternoon. It costs £20 to enter, with profits supporting the charity’s life-saving service.
To comply with the Government’s Covid-19 regulations and to enable even more people to take part, KSS is also organising a virtual KSS Ride, which is open to all riders, inviting them to seek sponsorship for a ride closer to home.
With all the charity’s major fundraising events cancelled over the past 15 months in response to the pandemic, KSS Ride will be the first in person fundraising event the charity has been able to hold since December 2019.
Commenting, Helene Poursain, Director of Fundraising and Events at KSS, said:
“We are so looking forward to our first horse riding event, and we very much hope that horse riders from across our region will join us at the Kent Showground or by taking part in the virtual KSS Ride. We are grateful to The Kent Showground and EJ Mackleden & Son (Bobbing) Ltd for letting us use their lands.”
“As a charity, we are reliant on public generosity to deliver our life-saving service, and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has continued to support us during what has been an extraordinary time. We could not do what we do without you.”
Helene continued:
“By taking part in KSS Ride, you can help make sure we continue to be there for the most critically ill patients across our region. Together with your support we can help even more people in their hour of need.”
For further information and to register for KSS Ride visit aakss.org.uk
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