Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is always ready to provide world-class, fast-response, emergency medical care every hour of every day. Their missions have saved thousands of lives which is only possible thanks to their amazing supporters.
It costs more than £14 million a year to sustain their world leading, cutting edge, innovative service, 89% of which is donated or raised by the people of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Last year alone, they were called out to help over 2,500 people in life-threatening conditions. KSS never stops innovating and improving the care they can give, which means every donation they receive is vital.
They want to make sure they are available each and every time someone needs them. For 18 hours of the day, KSS operates with two crews. For the remaining six, when it is quieter but there are still people out there who need them, they operate with one crew.
This year has been incredibly difficult for so many. KSS launched a Coronavirus Emergency Appeal in April, as the charity faced a shortfall of £2.9 million pounds.
Thanks to their incredible supporters they have raised over £1.9 million, enabling them to remain fully operational at all times throughout the pandemic. KSS must raise a further £1 million to ensure they can continue to save lives 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Their priority remains responding to the sickest or most critically injured across Kent, Surrey and Sussex in their hour of need.
Find out more and support KSS by visiting aakss.org.uk
Virtual talks
“We have a fantastic story to tell and we want to share it with you, especially during these challenging times.”
Book a free virtual talk from one of KSS’ inspirational volunteer speakers, to gain a deeper understanding of what the charity does.
They usually give talks in-person to a wide range of businesses, club and societies across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, but unfortunately, this isn’t possible due to current restrictions relating to the Coronavirus pandemic. So, they’re being run digitally instead.
If you’re hosting a virtual meeting and are part of a group or club, KSS would love to join you virtually. Contact them to book your virtual talk: talks@aakss.org.uk, 01634 471 900.
Team KSS
Maja Gavrilovski, HEMS Doctor
“As a medical student, I was always inspired by the amazing work the ambulance service did, helping one patient after another, working tirelessly in a challenging environment and still, always being ready for the next call: they were my heroes and I knew I wanted to be part of such a team once I became a doctor. My dream job was decided – it had to be specialising in Emergency Medicine, joined with prehospital care working on an Air Ambulance.
Having seen the team from Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) bring patients to the Emergency Department, and witnessing first-hand the level of expertise and passion of the team to deliver the best road side care possible, the decision was easy to make – KSS was the charity I wanted to be part of.
It was a long road with lots of learning and commitment.
Towards the end of my training as an Emergency Medicine Consultant I applied to join Team KSS, and in 2016 my dream came true; the dream I had never thought would happen. I became a HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) Doctor.
Now, I am able to work as an Emergency Medicine Consultant at St Thomas’ Hospital in London and as HEMS Doctor for Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex. I still feel privileged to be part of this amazing charity with its dedicated team of people, providing critical care at the roadside, always pushing the boundaries in pre-hospital medicine and striving to be better. I can proudly say I have the best job in the world!”
Ben Macauley, HEMS Paramedic
“In 2002 at the age of 21 I started my career with South East Coast Ambulance Service, working on the ambulances, seeing the work of the HEMS Doctor and Paramedic first-hand. I was inspired after learning that Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is a charity and depended heavily on the public.
After 10 years I decided to apply for my ‘dream job’ that I honestly never thought would happen, and in 2012 joined Team KSS as a HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) Paramedic.
Having been part of the charity’s journey, from its first 24-hour shift in 2013 to carrying blood and plasma,I am fortunate to have had a long career with KSS, and I am enormously proud of the cutting-edge care that we provide, bringing the Emergency Department to the roadside.”