Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) has been honoured to welcome the High Sheriffs of Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex to its Redhill airbase to find out more about the charity’s vital work this week.
The very special gathering of all four High Sheriffs provided a unique opportunity to showcase the world-leading pre-hospital emergency treatment and care that KSS provides to the most suddenly seriously injured and ill people 24/7, 365, in communities across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and discuss its impact across all four counties.
The High Sheriffs heard how every day the charity responds to around nine emergency calls for its urgent lifesaving care, with each of these missions almost entirely funded by public support. It costs £56K a day to run the lifesaving service and it only thanks to the generosity of the people in the communities it serves that KSS can keep flying and saving lives.
The High Sheriffs also heard about KSS’s world-leading research and innovation which continually pushes the boundaries of what is possible in pre-hospital emergency care, helping to continually improve patient outcomes across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, around the UK and across the globe, both now into the future.
The visiting High Sheriffs were:
• Jonathan Neame, High Sheriff of Kent accompanied by his wife Lucie
• Peter Cluff, High Sheriff of Surrey accompanied by his wife Suzanne
• Annie Brown, High Sheriff of East Sussex
• Dr Timothy Fooks, High Sheriff of West Sussex
The group met with KSS Chief Executive David Welch, Executive Director of Fundraising and Philanthropy, Kelly Heaton-Ralph, Executive Director of Service Delivery Leigh Curtis and Head of Major Gifts, Paul Sandford, before being given a tour of the base and a close-up look at one of the charity’s air ambulance helicopters.
Kelly Heaton-Ralph said: “It was an honour to welcome the High Sheriffs for Kent, Surrey, East and WestSussex to our Redhill base. We’re grateful for their ongoing and future dedication towards our charity and in generating and inspiring support from the communities that we collectively serve. This support enables us to continue saving lives and ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
“Their visit was also a chance to highlight the importance of fundraising and the many ways people in our communities contribute to keeping us flying and saving lives.”
For more information about the lifesaving work of KSS and how you can support the charity visit aakss.org.uk.
“This is a vital service that saves lives in our southern counties – it is not an NHS led service so relies on public and corporate donations to survive. You never know when you or someone you know could find their lives in the hands of the incredible people that provide this service, and as High Sheriff I would ask for your support to insure it is not lost. It is easy to donate – either with a small monthly contribution or a one off donation – please click HERE. Thank you!” – The High Sheriff of Surrey – Peter Cluff.