WHEN THE HEART STOPS,
THE CLOCK STARTS.
Help us reach people fast this Christmas. Thank you.
Your donation of:
Messages to our crew from recent donors
It costs around £57,000 a day to keep our service flying. This Christmas, the gift of life is in your hands. Thank you.
In the time it takes you to read this sentence, your heart will beat six
times. Now eight… ten… twelve…
Life can change in a heartbeat.
On the same day, at almost exactly the same time, two lives hung in the balance. Jon collapsed while cycling near Sevenoaks. Martyn went down just 50 metres from the finish line at a parkrun in Sittingbourne. People nearby began CPR and used a defibrillator. We launched two helicopters and two medical teams. Our crews took over, placed them on life support at the scene, and flew them to specialist cardiac care. Minutes mattered. By air, the journeys took about 10 minutes. By road they would have taken more than 40.
Those 30 minutes helped save their lives.
THIS CHRISTMAS THE GIFT OF LIFE IS IN YOUR HANDS
25 PEOPLE
approximately the number of people day across Kent, Surrey and Sussex have a cardiac arrest at home or in the community
EVERY MINUTE
someone's heart isn't beating their chance of survival drops by 10%
ONLY 1 IN 10
people survive cardiac arrest
A heartbeat apart. The stories of John and Martyn
On the same day, at almost exactly the same time, two lives hung in the balance.
Early intervention is critical to what we call ‘The Chain of Survival’. When people on the ground keep hearts beating and oxygen flowing, KSS doctors and paramedics can arrive quickly to place patients on life support at the scene. This stabilises people like Jon and Martyn, ensuring oxygen reaches their brain and keeping vital organs – including the heart, liver and kidneys – functioning properly. Then, KSS pilots like Dave Gifford can fly patients to specialist cardiac care in hospital as fast as possible.
When every second counts. Every £1 matters.
Every second counts to get expert medical help to get to the scene, fast. This can mean the difference between survival and heartbreak.
It costs us £1.2 million each year to respond to the most critical cardiac arrest patients across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
A year at KSS
Two .
Thanks to people like you
Jon's story
"Without Tina, Alan and the others who gave me CPR, I wouldn’t be here."
On 4 March 2023 I’d gone out cycling as I normally did with my club, Sidcup Cycles, I was 58. As usual we’d gone out at half eight on a Saturday morning to do 40 or 50 miles Usually we’d ride out to somewhere in the Kent countryside with a stop halfway for a coffee break.
I don’t remember what happened, but I later learned that I suffered a cardiac arrest and I ended up leaning against a bush while still on my bike, which made it hard for the people around me to work out what had happened as it looked like I was still trying to ride the bike.
Martyn’s story
"We are both living proof that knowing how to do CPR can save a life."
In December 2022 I had given up the delivery job because the traffic around Sittingbourne was getting too stressful. The following February I was asked if I would like to go along to our local Parkrun and do a 5K because I enjoy walking.
I got to within 50 metres of the finish. My friend Dave and my daughter, who’d both finished, came out to run across the line with me. At that moment I collapsed. My eyes were rolling and I was gasping like a fish and it was clear to the people with me that something was badly wrong.
Anonymous - November 13, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"what a wonderful job you all do all year round so a big thankyou from all you have assisted and their loved one."
Brian Blacklock - November 13, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"Thankfully I have never needed your help to date, but I take great comfort in knowing you are there if the worst was to happen. Thank you for all that you do, and I send you all best wishes for the festive season."
Terri Taylor - November 12, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"You’re amazing people providing an amazing service. I hope my family and I never need you but knowing you’re there is comforting. Thank you"
Gabrielle Attwater - November 12, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"Fantastic job you do. With you all the way and hope you have a successful fundraising appeal during these difficult times."
Gabrielle Attwater - November 12, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"Fantastic job you do. With you all the way and hope you have a successful fundraising appeal during these difficult times."
Elizabeth Bancroft (Winchester) - November 11, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Thank you for the amazing work you do."
Anonymous - November 10, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Thank you to all KSS staff and volunteers who give up their time to selflessly help those in urgent need."
Anonymous - November 10, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"Please keep up your wonderful work. Any one of us might need your help."
Anthea Beckett - November 10, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Thank you for being there when help is needed to save lives."
Margaret Sandford - November 10, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Keep doing the wonderful work that you do."
michael palmer - November 10, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"i hope you all have a very happy christmas and new year"
Anonymous - November 10, 2026
Donated: £25.00
"You do a wonderful job. I hope you manage to spend some time with your family on Christmas Day"
Katie Owen - November 10, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"Thank you for the amazing public service you give to help people in distress across Kent, Surrey and Sussex."
John Nevell - November 9, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Thank you for saving my wife’s life. She absolutely would not be here without you and please keep up the crucial work, you are all stars. Forever your supporters Pip & Lin."
Madeleine Wadley - November 9, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Thank you so much for all your dedication and hard work providing such a wonderful service."
Gunner Burkhart - November 9, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"Absolutely outstanding service and a cause which should be widely supported !"
Sue Crane - November 9, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Fuel costs have gone up astronomically - happy to be able to help."
Anonymous - November 9, 2026
Donated: £10.00
"I hope those that those I care about will never need your services but it is a comfort to know you are there should we ever need you. Thank you."
Anonymous - November 9, 2026
Donated: £10.00
"You do such an amazing job, I wish I could donate more."
Paul Adams - November 9, 2026
Donated: £106.00
"London’s Air Ambulance saved my son's life after a serious road accident, and I am forever grateful for the incredible work you do. Deepest Gratitude: Your rapid response and skill got him to the hospital on time when every second mattered, and I will never forget what you did for our family. Ongoing Support: Although I no longer live in London and now reside in Aylesford, my son remains in the Greater London area, and knowing your team is there brings immense peace of mind. God bless you all"
Angela Simmonds - November 9, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"You are all heroes! You are the ones we hope we will never use, but there “ just in case” Thank you every one of you **"
Ken Sherwood - November 9, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Many thanks for all you do"
F Fiona Agha Talmor - November 9, 2026
Donated: £54.00
"Thank you for your tireless efforts to help people in their hour of need. You are so appreciated!"
John Roberts - November 6, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"What a wonderful job that you do to support such Emergencies on our roads in the South East of England. We applaud you! John & Daphne Roberts"
Victor Godding - November 5, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"This Donation is for Rosemarie Ann Aldrich who passed after a battle with Cancer."
Victor Godding - November 5, 2026
Donated: N/A
"This Donation is for Rosemarie Ann Aldrich who passed after a battle with Cancer."
Sue Garner - November 5, 2026
Donated: £200.00
"In memory of Bruce Chapman with grateful thanks for his time and expertese , with love to all his family , friends and colleagues , the Garner family ."
Mark Brackley - November 5, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"@Marshspeed never forgotten"
Anonymous - November 5, 2026
Donated: £5.00
"You guys are great. Voluntary service at its best!!!!!"
Rosemary Jones - November 3, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"Thank you so much for doing such a wonderful, life saving job. Long may you continue."
James Paine - November 2, 2026
Donated: £135.00
"In memory of Alan Garside, a great Pilot and Instructor, whose contribution to Aviation at Kent Gliding Club was highly respected and will be sorely missed."
Vivien Spiller - October 31, 2026
Donated: £75.00
"I will not enter youy Christmas raffle but will donate."
Anonymous - October 29, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"My elderly mum recently passed but strongly supported the Kent Air Ambulance for a long time. She never needed their service but felt they were her ‘safety net’ if ever needed. Close family arranged flowers at her farewell but some others made donations. Thank you"
Active Transpirt Ltd - October 24, 2026
Donated: £500.00
"You are amazing, thank you"
Anonymous - October 21, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"In memory of John Hunt"
Ivan Morgan - October 20, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"I had an exhibition of my 101 automata at Ringmer Village Hall on Saturday and visitors kindly made charity donations to your worthy cause."
Alison Brixton - October 19, 2026
Donated: £330.00
"Please accept this as proceeds from the raffle at our Quiz last month. You do such amazing work. Thank you to you all. Crafty Quizzers."
Derek Betts - October 19, 2026
Donated: £150.00
"To enable you to keep up the good work that you do"
Derek Betts - October 19, 2026
Donated: N/A
"To enable you to keep up the good work that you do"
Anonymous - October 19, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"Well done, and huge thanks for your incredible and most valued work."
David Myhill - October 18, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"For the Daniel Squires memorial ride. Rain stopped me riding this year but this is my cake money."
Mayfield Grammar School Grasend - October 14, 2026
Donated: £128.59
"This money was raised By Miss McCormack and who is head of House Penfold of Mayfield Grammar School Gravesend"
Peter Hughes - October 9, 2026
Donated: £10.00
"From lewes scouts"
Peter Hughes - October 9, 2026
Donated: N/A
"From lewes scouts"
Joanna Vaughan - October 8, 2026
Donated: £30.00
"Donating on behalf of my elderly Dad who is a lifelong supporter."
Philippines Community - October 8, 2026
Donated: £45.00
"On behalf of Philippines Community “Get Together Bingo” @Bowls Club Folkestone"
Janet Dunbar - October 7, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"This donation is in memory of Penny Coomber, our lovely sister-in-law and Auntie who passed away on her 81st birthday. She will walk with us for the rest of our days."
Patricia Gaglione - October 6, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"We wish to support your valuable work in saving people's lives"
Anonymous - October 6, 2026
Donated: £200.00
"Keep up the great work. Thank you."
Iain Oliver - October 4, 2026
Donated: £19.00
"Money raised from the monthly pub quiz at The Globe, Hythe."