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.Â
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 - June 4, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"If you can please support this brilliant charity to be able to to keep flying snd to keep saving lives"
Anonymous - June 1, 2026
Donated: £30.00
"Donation on behalf of LSRFUR YMO"
RICHARD ABNETT - June 1, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"In memory of Stan Thomas from Richard and Joanna Abnett"
Jack Cochrane - June 1, 2026
Donated: £16.00
"Thank you for saving lives and helping me when I had a fall when I was three years old! You are all amazing!"
Anonymous - June 1, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"Having won some money on your lottery we would like to donate some back to you."
Larisa Anthony - May 31, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"You are doing a great job. Giving injured people the first aid and taking them to hospital within the shortest time save their lives. You are worthy of the highest praise. Thank you."
Karen Divall - May 31, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"Amazing work, thank you"
David Lowman - May 29, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"A brilliant service"
London Society of RFU Referees SW Region - May 28, 2026
Donated: £200.00
"Thank you for all the good work from London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees (LSRFUR) SW Region"
Jean GOSLING - May 28, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"KSS CAN ALWAYS BE DEPENDED ON TO RESCUE AND SUPPIRT PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE IN NEED OF HELP"
David Brattle - May 27, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"I cannot think of a more worthwhile cause than air ambulance. Thank you for all you fo"
Anonymous - May 27, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Please keep up your vital work"
Adele Holsten - May 27, 2026
Donated: £15.00
"You all do an amazing job, and I wish I could donate more"
T Walker - May 26, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"This is with thanks to James of Edgar & Sons for giving my Dad John a fantastic day at your farm. Many Thanks"
Mark Perrin - May 26, 2026
Donated: £30.00
"Well done to all of the team!! Just imagine if everyone in the three counties contributed £5??? Can’t do the math but it would be in the millions!!"
Jayne Brown - May 25, 2026
Donated: £80.00
"In memory of our friend Margaret"
Anonymous - May 23, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Thankyou so much for your unwavering dedication. You're all heroes in my eyes."
Anonymous - May 23, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"Thank you for qll that you do kss"
Trudie Moore - May 23, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"With thanks for saving my dad in August 2025. I will continue to raise money for our heros. Thank you"
Mick and asdis Cosby - May 23, 2026
Donated: £200.00
"For someone in need or help."
Anonymous - May 22, 2026
Donated: £150.00
"Thank you for the amazing life saving work you do."
Cara Barnard - May 22, 2026
Donated: £150.00
"This donation is a gift from our wedding! KSS Air Ambulance have been there for our guests and family, and without them, may not be with us on our special day. We hope that KSS continues to serve the community when they might need it the most."
Sam Jacobs - May 22, 2026
Donated: £5.00
"Keep up the good work you’re all doing on a daily basis. It’s amazing!!"
Ian Barrett - May 21, 2026
Donated: £40.00
"Having been at an RTA where the Air Ambulance provided vital service to those directly involved, I witnessed first hand just how important their work is. They are very deserving of the public’s support. Well done everyone."
Catherine Owen - May 21, 2026
Donated: £150.00
"Thank you for the incredible work you carry out on a daily basis."
Jiwan Subba - May 21, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"Great Service"
Lyn Dent - May 21, 2026
Donated: £10.00
"You're doing a great job, 24/7. Well done!"
Mary Mansfield - May 21, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Good luck and carry on doing your excellent work. A very worthy cause."
Anonymous - May 21, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"In memory of Alec Norris 18/08/24"
Anonymous - May 20, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"Come on everyone we have near got kss to there target amount please help get the money kss desperately needs to keep flying and to keep saving lives one day it might be you who needs there help"
Nino Nuzzo - May 17, 2026
Donated: £10.00
"Thank you for the picture at Lydden hill, John Hale"
Terry Cowan - May 16, 2026
Donated: £1,500.00
"This donation is from money raised from the Tom Ashdown charity memorial football match. Keep up the wonderful work"
Sally Lowe - May 15, 2026
Donated: £250.00
"Wonderful, life changing work."
Anonymous - May 15, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"An invaluable service which has saved many lives and will continue to do so- a deserving service which needs our support."
Anonymous - May 14, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"We are very happy to support such a dedicated and committed charity and its entire staff who do such an amazing job. Thank you!"
David Nickless - May 14, 2026
Donated: £7.00
"keep up the good work of saving lives"
David Jackson - May 14, 2026
Donated: £20.00
"A very important charity"
Kathleen Coleman - May 14, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Thanks for being there."
Don Harris - May 14, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"Good luck to all who are there to help us when we need you."
Anonymous - May 14, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"Keep up the good work, I hope your second chance appeal brings in generous donations"
West Malling Baptist Church Coffee Morning - May 13, 2026
Donated: £108.83
"Raised in donations at our West Malling Baptist Church Coffee Morning"
Eleanor Pickton - May 12, 2026
Donated: £100.00
"In memory of my dad Gordon, without the air ambulance he wouldn’t have got to Brighton hospital in time"
Jennifer Fiander - May 12, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"K"
Anonymous - May 12, 2026
Donated: £25.00
"Keep up the good work, supporting you guys in these desperate times is a privilege. Thank you."
Rona Hawes - May 11, 2026
Donated: £35.00
"Keep up the fantastic work. I can't believe you're a charity. This should be fully government funded."
Neville Roberts - May 9, 2026
Donated: £25.00
"Thank you for your splendid service"
Anonymous - May 9, 2026
Donated: £60.00
"Wonderful people - saved my wifes life. We are both grateful for the extra time given to us."
Len BALL - May 9, 2026
Donated: £47.00
"We appreciate all you do saving lives in the community"
Kim Shrosbree - May 9, 2026
Donated: £50.00
"Thank you to Mark for a very interesting talk at our MG Club on Thursday - worth a thought if you're a member of a Club"
Anonymous - May 9, 2026
Donated: £150.00
"Thank you for all you do, love the Hall family."