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.
Dave & Julie Walsh - May 2, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"In memory of the musical legend Steve Trill"
Little Shock LTD - May 1, 2026
Donated: £10.00
"I've never needed you before, but I'm thankful that you exist in case someone I care about needs urgent care."
Marie Haynes-Perks - May 1, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"Sorry it's not much, but I hope this helps your wonderful charity. Thank you for helping those in need of medical assistance and long may it continue"
Anonymous - May 1, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Well done everyone for all your hard work."
Michelle Chinery - May 1, 2026
Donated: £30.00
"Thank you kss for all that you do for the people of Kent Surrey and. Sussex. You true air angels of the sky"
Pauline Peacock - May 1, 2026
Donated: £15.00
"Thank you for all you do!"
Wendy Seabrook - May 1, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"Thank you for all you do. Xx"
Anonymous - April 30, 2026
Donated: £13.00
"I would like to visit you to have a look around"
Nikki Head - April 30, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"In loving memory of Maggie Stapleton"
Jenny Morley - April 29, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Great service and if you can donate they will be very grateful."
Janet Knowles - April 28, 2026
Donated: £34.00
"Well done for all the good work you do."
Kris Rodricks - April 27, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Keep up the good work"
Helen Pawsey - April 27, 2026
Donated: £10.00
"Landed in our field today and the kind pilots let us take photos of the heli with our trucks!"
Ruby Day - April 27, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"They do a good job and need the money, I appreciate them been there if i need them."
Anonymous - April 27, 2026
Donated: £250.00
"You never know it might be you who is saved!!"
Anonymous - April 26, 2026
Donated: £40.00
"Donation in Mr Ted Edward’s memory."
Michelle Chinery - April 26, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"If you can please support kss every penny counts Whot every the amount. It well help kss keep flying. And help save more lives. and carry on the amazing work there Do"
Ryan Pullen - April 26, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"Thank you Sasha for your story you have inspired us all x"
Anonymous - April 25, 2026
Donated: £25.00
"This is the most impirtant and inspiring of charities"
Tony Bourne - April 25, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"Thank you Sasha and very best wishes for the future"
Anonymous - April 25, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"What would we all do without you, our angels in the sky? Always there when help is needed. Thanks to all the team, keep up the good work!"
Christopher Baxter-Moore - April 24, 2026
Donated: £25.00
"Thank you all for your skills and dedication."
Anonymous - April 24, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"Thanks for all you do a friend’s life was saved by the Air Ambulance"
Emma Hyde-Gomes - April 24, 2026
Donated: £10.00
"Thank you to all at KSS air ambulance you all our doing a wonderful job saving lives"
Nicola Jenner - April 24, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Thank you for all that you do to save lives. In loving memory of Ian Bridgeland- much loved Brother and Uncle."
Anonymous - April 24, 2026
Donated: £500.00
"Pleasure to support amazing. Charity. Keep up the amazing work you doing."
Janne Selmes - April 24, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"In memory of Carrie Jones"
Michelke Chinery - April 24, 2026
Donated: £500.00
"Thank you Kent Surrey sussex air amblance for all that you do"
M Bray - April 23, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"In memory of Martin Smith with deepest condolonces **, Lorraine, Dave & Anita"
Sussex Advanced Drivers - April 23, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"This is a thank you for Simon Norris-Jones doing a talk to Sussex ROSPA Advanced Drivers as agreed by our Kevin Reader. Would you let Simon know it has arrived. Thanks very much"
Penelope Delahaye - April 22, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"In my opinion everyone involved with your service is a Hero, including all the 'background' volunteers and staff."
Wendy George - April 22, 2026
Donated: £35.00
"Sorry my donation isn't more but grateful to you for being there to help."
Dafydd Williams - April 22, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"Keep up the good work KSS. Donated on behalf of top Lydden Hill photographer John Hale, for prints gratefully received. Many thanks, Daf & Rhys - Sidecar #63"
LINDA Baker - April 22, 2026
Donated: £30.00
"Well done in all you do and thank you ❤️"
Ian Cullis - April 22, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Keep up with your amazing work."
Nigel Dawson - April 22, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"Rising fuel costs & KSS need help to continue their valuable service"
Jenny Ives - April 21, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Wonderful work carried out by the aakss. They have been called out to help my friend’s grandchild."
Anonymous - April 21, 2026
Donated: £35.00
"Thanks for brilliant response to my son's bike accident"
Linda Gorringe - April 21, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"KSS, you do amazing work. My family have seen you in action first hand. It’s not always easy to get to a person in need but you got there. Well done!!"
Vivienne Pringle - April 20, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"In memory of a very dear friend Peter Barnes"
Steve Folwell - April 20, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"Many thanks Steve folwell"
JULIE HILL - April 18, 2026
Donated: £35.00
"Thank you for your time and help to those in need. It is a comfort to know you are all there for us with the amazing and life changing work you do."
Anonymous - April 18, 2026
Donated: £200.00
"Very happy to continue my support for your excellent work"
Anonymous - April 17, 2026
Donated: £25.00
"Keep up this amazing work. Well done everyone."
Maria Banks - April 16, 2026
Donated: £10.00
"Saving lives"
Anonymous - April 16, 2026
Donated: £145.00
"Keep up this important service. Well done Team !"
Kate Chivers - April 16, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Keep on, your superb work of helping save lives."
Anonymous - April 16, 2026
Donated: £25.00
"Thank you for all the emergencies you deal with so promptly and efficiently. A very necessary service!"
Michael Williams - April 15, 2026
Donated: £25.00
"Good luck with the appeal"
Michael Chowen - April 15, 2026
Donated: £805.00
"Congratulations on all you are achieving, Michael & Maureen"