AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY KENT SURREY SUSSEX (KSS) NEEDS MORE VOLUNTEERS

by | Feb 7, 2023 | Dartford Charities

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) needs your support! Having just announced that 2022 was the busiest year in its 33-year history – the life-saving charity responded to 3,224 incidents last year, with 1,353 call outs in Kent – KSS is urgently seeking to recruit more volunteers in order to help with more events and activities in the coming year.

The charity, which provides world-leading pre-hospital emergency care 24/7, currently has over 150 volunteers who help with a wide range of activities including managing collection boxes, marshalling at events, speaking at community events, office tasks and more. Volunteers offer a few hours on an occasional basis or regular hours each month.

Bridget Pepper, from the KSS Volunteer Development Team said, “Our volunteers are highly valued members of Team KSS, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who donates their time to support us. Over the last year, KSS has benefited from over 4,000 hours of support from volunteers and our volunteers were involved with raising or collecting over £250,000 on our behalf.”

“This year, with demand for our service at an all-time high and the need to raise even more funds due to the increased costs of operating our service, we need to recruit more volunteers and we have lots of opportunities available to suit people of all ages and abilities.”

“Alongside providing our charity with critical support, volunteers enjoy many benefits from working with us, including meeting new people, attending events and feeling a sense of pride in supporting an incredible charity in their local community.”

“We hope people from across the communities we serve will get in touch with us and find out more about how they can get involved. We really appreciate all the support we receive.”

KSS is an independent charity. It costs £16.6M a year or £45K per day to operate its world leading, life-saving service. This is a significant increase from the £15.2M required in 2022. 87% of KSS’s total income is raised through the incredible generosity of its supporters and 10% through NHS commissioning funds. If you are interested in finding out more about being a KSS volunteer, please contact volunteering@aakss.org.uk or visit www.aakss.org.uk

LOCAL CHILDREN GIVEN CHANCE TO SHINE IN THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS PANTO AT THE ORCHARD THEATRE

Young performers across Kent are being given the chance to step into the spotlight this Christmas as The Orchard Theatre announces open auditions for this year’s magical family pantomime, Cinderella. Youngsters aged 9–16 (school years 4–11) are invited to audition for...

Bluewater to Host ‘The Monster’ – One of the World’s Largest Inflatable Obstacle Courses

Bluewater is set for an action-packed summer as one of the world’s largest inflatable assault courses, The Monster, arrives during the summer holidays, with tickets on sale now. From Saturday 18th July to Monday 31st August, the Kent shopping and leisure destination...

Orchard Theatre – WE’RE HIRING

The Orchard Theatre Announces Search for a New Buildings and Technical Manager to Lead Landmark Reopening Following a period of major refurbishment, Dartford’s iconic Orchard Theatre is officially launching a nationwide search for a visionary Buildings and Technical...

‘A Brief History of Me and My Time’ – Local Author’s new book is released in September

My name is Richard Winston. I am a retired teacher of languages, living in Sidcup. Since retirement I have written a couple of novels and a memoir. The novel, called "The Seed of Change", is currently with Troubador Publishers and is due for release on 28th September....

Dartford’s Night Food Market returns with a World Cup twist

Dartford will once again host its popular Night Food Market on Friday 12 th  June, transforming the town centre into a vibrant celebration of flavour, live entertainment, and community spirit.  Visitors will be able to taste their way around the...

The Kindness of Strangers: A Reminder of What Unites Us

We never truly know how a day is going to unfold. One moment you are enjoying a sunny  Sunday afternoon listening to the Bandstand Concert in Dartford’s Central Park. The next you  are waking up from a sudden blackout, surrounded by confusion and panic....

Dartford Juniors lift the inaugural Kent County Chess Association Foundation Cup

Dartford Juniors are the 2026 KCCA Foundation Cup champions — and the first team ever to lift the trophy. On Saturday 30th May, our squad beat Petts Wood & Orpington 2½–1½ in a tense final to write their names into Kent chess history. The Foundation Cup is a...

“FAMILIES CALL US THE COMFORT BLANKET”

“When you spend time with Tina, you quickly understand why families remember her. She puts people at ease immediately and makes families feel like they’re not going through difficult moments on their own. Tina brings warmth and reassurance into people’s homes every...

Paralympian JohnBoy Smith to Scale the O2 in Wheelchair for We Are Beams

Commonwealth Games Medallist, Team GB Paralympian and Patron of We Are Beams JohnBoy Smith is taking his support to new heights by undertaking a breath taking wheelchair climb over the iconic O2 Arena in London. This special fundraising event, which will take...

Pop Icon Sinitta and Drag Royalty Divina De Campo announced to headline Dartford Pride

Pop Icon Sinitta and Drag Royalty Divina De Campo Announced to Headline Milestone 5th Anniversary of Dartford Pride. Orchard West, in partnership with Dartford Borough Council, is thrilled to announce that 80s pop sensation Sinitta will headline PrideFest: The Party...