We’re delighted to have welcomed staff from Barretts Motor Group to our Rochester headquarters to an unveiling of the company’s name which is now featured on the side of the helicopter that they helped to fund. The visit follows a substantial donation made by Barretts to last year’s highly successful `Buy it for Life’ campaign, which enabled us to buy our second air ambulance helicopter.
Now owning instead of leasing our state-of-the art air ambulance helicopter – G-KSST – is saving our charity around half a million pounds a year, enabling us to drive forward with plans to reach more patients and save more lives. This includes the development of the our ability to fly in more adverse weather conditions, continual research and innovation in improving patient outcomes and growing our Patient and Family Aftercare Service as well as introducing more community prevention and education activities.
The unveiling of the name on the helicopter took place with Paul Barrett, KSS Chief Executive David Welch, KSS Executive Director of Fundraising and Philanthropy Kelly Heaton-Ralph and KSS crew. The Barretts name is now flying on every mission, helping to make a lifesaving difference every day.
Paul Barrett, Managing Director of the renowned family business that has proudly served the community since 1902, is a longstanding supporter of KSS and a recent former Trustee of the lifesaving charity. A committed philanthropist and community advocate, Paul has held distinguished roles including former High Sheriff and current Kent Ambassador. His passion for supporting local people and making a meaningful difference remains at the heart of everything he does.
Commenting on the visit, Paul Barrett, said: “Everyone at Barretts is delighted to support KSS and its critical lifesaving work. As a former KSS Trustee, I know just how important the work of KSS is to our communities.
“Its helicopters are a lifeline for local people faced with life-threatening emergencies, 24/7, 365 days a year and we are proud that this helicopter now carries the Barretts name on every lifesaving mission.”
Our Chief Executive David Welch said: “We are incredibly grateful to our long-standing supporter Barretts for their extremely kind and generous donation to last year’s Buy it For Life campaign. Their continued commitment and belief in our purpose of saving lives and ensuring the best possible patient outcomes for the most suddenly critically injured or unwell people across Kent, Surrey and Sussex is truly inspiring.
“This donation is already making a meaningful difference to the lives we touch every day, and we are proud to have such an incredibly strong relationship.”
To learn more about how your business can help support the lifesaving work of KSS, visit aakss.org.uk/business.
