News

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) saw unprecedented demand for its life-saving service in 2021, with call outs already over 2,900 incidents, 1,860 by helicopter and 1,053 in Rapid Response Vehicles. This is already an 18% increase from 2020 and the highest demand for the service in its 32 year history.

 

The highest number of call outs was to Road Traffic Collisions, followed by medical emergencies and accidental injuries, with the majority of patients being under the age of 60.

 

David Welch, CEO, KSS said: “We provide a vital life-saving service, bringing the emergency room to the scene of an incident and delivering the best possible outcomes to patients in need of critical care. Sadly, we are seeing an increasing need for our service and despite another challenging year, we are very proud to have remained fully operational 24/7 throughout. This would not have been possible without the generosity of our supporters and volunteers across Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex, for which we are truly grateful.

 

“It costs £15M each year to deliver our world-leading pre-hospital emergency service 24/7, 88% of which is raised through public donations and fundraising. With demand for our service at an all-time high, we are now urging people to continue to support KSS so that we can continue to save lives.”

 

Run 31

KSS is encouraging people to start the New Year with a fitness challenge by taking part in Run 31 to help raise vital funds for the charity. Open to people of all ages and all levels of fitness, participants can support KSS by running 31 miles throughout the 31 days of January, wherever and whenever they choose. They can do a small amount each day or endurance sessions once or twice a week.

 

Members of Team KSS have already signed up to take part in the challenge, including CEO, David Welch. They are hoping that members of the public will join them in this fitness fundraiser to kick-start 2022.

 

Helene Poursain, Director of Fundraising and Events at KSS, said: “Run 31 was hugely successful last year and is back by popular demand. If you are looking to start running, return to running, stay fit or run off the Christmas excess, please sign up for Run 31 to and help us to raise vital funds so that we can continue to be there for the sickest and most critically injured patients across our regions in their hour of need.”

 

For further information or to sign up and receive a free t-shirt, visit www.aakss.org.uk or join KSS’s Run 31 Facebook Community – they will be with you every step of the way.