Sussex Air Ambulance Charity Raises £1m To Buy Its Helicopter

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) has announced that its appeal to buy its air ambulance helicopter reached the £1 million goal in six weeks. 

It means the charity will save half a million pounds a year from owning rather than leasing the helicopter and this will enable KSS to 'fly for longer, to reach more patients and save even more lives'.   

The cost saving will also enable KSS to improve and develop its lifesaving service, including its ability to fly in more challenging weather conditions as well as grow its Patient and Family Aftercare Service and introduce more community-based prevention and education activities.  

Although the £1 million goal has been reached, with so many people still donating and fundraising, the charity says it's now focused on raising more funds as it encourages its communities to go above and beyond the £1 million goal in the final few weeks of the appeal.

KSS is also still offering the opportunity for individuals, businesses, schools and community groups, to donate £100 or more to have their name, or the name of a loved one in their memory, on the KSS air ambulance helicopter. This opportunity is available until Friday, June 28.

David Welch, Chief Executive of KSS (pictured above) said:

“This amazing achievement has only been made possible by the extraordinary kindness of individuals, businesses, trust and foundations, schools and community groups, who have so quickly and generously responded to our urgent appeal. We’ve been completely overwhelmed by the remarkable response so far and would like to thank everyone for their incredible generosity and inspiring messages of support.  

“Every single penny and every single second counts when lives are on the line, so we’re now encouraging our communities to go even further above and beyond our £1 million goal in the final few weeks of our appeal. Every extra penny raised will be spent on our lifesaving helicopters which will enable us to reach more patients and save even more lives, keeping more families together.” 

To donate to the appeal and to have the opportunity to get your name, or a name of a loved one, on our helicopter simply visit www.aakss.org.uk/helicopter.