We’re pleased to share the news that our Coronavirus Emergency Appeal has now raised more than £250,000, nearing the halfway mark of our initial fundraising target.
Launched in April, our emergency appeal needs to raise at least £535,000. The funds will help us to continue providing our vital life-saving services, alongside our frontline work to support in the fight against Coronavirus.
Former Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Len Goodman and Dame Penelope Keith DBE, DL are both supporting the Appeal.
We’re also incredibly thankful to Burgess Hill District Lions, who’ve supported us for a number of years. The group voted unanimously to make a £10,000 donation to our Appeal.
Lion Chris Thomas-Atkin, the Club Treasurer, said:
“The Lions are proud of their association with the Air Ambulance Service. Over many years our club, which recently celebrated it 65th year, has participated in the ongoing support that Lions Clubs across the South East have provided enabling the service to purchase vital equipment to help save lives.
With the coronavirus pandemic however, these are extraordinary times and the scenario we face calls for unparalleled responses. The Burgess Hill District Lions were keen to provide this additional support to KSS’ Coronavirus Emergency Appeal to help those in need in our local communities at this most worrying of times.
As a registered charity, we are reliant upon public donations for 89% of the £14M it costs each year to operate our life-saving service. The additional costs of maintaining our service safely at the current time are significant, with full protection controls required for our crews, patients and the aircraft.”
Lynne Harris, Executive Director of Income Generation at KSS, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to The Burgess Hill District Lions for their continued support at this difficult time. I’d also like to extend my thanks to Len Goodman and Penelope Keith, and the 4,500 people who have supported our Coronavirus Emergency Appeal to date. Local residents, community groups and local businesses have united to support us and we are greatly encouraged by the response.
But there is still a long way to go. Our charity provides a vital service for the people of Kent, Surrey and Sussex – a service which is currently not provided by the NHS but which works in partnership with it.
We urge everyone to donate to our appeal, if possible, so that we can continue to save as many lives as possible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
We’ve outlined a number of items that we need as part of our Coronavirus Emergency Appeal:
- £35 could fund 200 fluid repellent surgical masks
- £50 could fund 50 ventilator filters for infection control within the aircraft
- £620 could fund a Versaflo respirator to help patients to breathe and protect them from hazardous substances
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