Press and Media
Welcome to the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) Online Media Centre.
We welcome enquiries from journalists, producers, researchers and content creators and are happy to provide information, interviews, expert comment, case studies, and assets relating to our lifesaving service.
If you are looking for expert insight, patient stories, operational detail or comment on pre-hospital emergency care, please get in touch with our Communications Team.
Our team can assist with:
- Requests for interviews or spokespeople
- Information about latest news, research or milestones
- Access to photography, video and B-roll content
- Press releases
- Facts and figures
- Opportunities to feature our services in media campaigns, documentaries or educational content.
Media enquiries
Please email news@aakss.org.uk
Due to the sensitive nature of our work, we are not always able to provide an immediate comment on our missions but will reply as soon as we are able to.
Non-media enquiries should be sent to hello@aakss.org.uk.
Useful resources
Press releases
Read our latest press releases and updates. Journalists and media representatives can sign up to receive press releases by contacting news@aakss.org.uk.
Approved photography
Click on the images below to open them in a separate window.
B-roll footage
For B-roll footage, logos or additional supporting material please contact news@aakss.org.uk.
Senior spokespeople and leadership profiles
The following senior leaders are available for interview and expert comment on relevant topics:
- David Welch – Chief Executive
- Dr Duncan Bootland – Medical Director
- Professor Richard Lyon – Executive Director of Research and Innovation
- Richard De Coverley – Assistant Director of Service Delivery
- Kelly Heaton-Ralph – Executive Director of Fundraising and Philanthropy
- Symon Russell – Executive Director of Individual Giving and Lotteries
Background information
Media guidelines
How to refer to KSS
To ensure accuracy and consistency, please refer to us as:
Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS)
On first reference, please use the full name. You may then use KSS subsequently.
If you are unsure about terminology, job titles or clinical language, our Communications Team is happy to help, via news@aakss.org.uk.
Archive
For transparency and historical context, previous publications and reports are available below:
Press and Media FAQs
How many missions do you attend each year?
Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) responds to more than 3,100 incidents each year across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. On average we respond to 9 calls a day.
What type of incidents do you attend?
KSS is dispatched to the most seriously ill and injured patients across the region. Incidents attended include:
- Road traffic collisions
- Cardiac arrests
- Medical emergencies, including strokes and seizures
- Falls from height
- Serious sporting and leisure accidents
- Industrial and agricultural incidents
- Drowning and near-drowning incidents
- Major trauma and other life-threatening emergencies
Our specialist doctor and paramedic teams can deliver advanced interventions at the scene, including emergency anaesthesia, blood transfusions and other specialist critical care procedures.
What is an average response time?
KSS can reach any location across Kent, Surrey and Sussex within 30 minutes by helicopter bringing the emergency room directly to the patient.
What areas do you cover?
KSS provides 24/7 pre-hospital emergency care across Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex, covering an area of approximately 7,390 km².
What is the cost per mission?
It costs £57k a day for our service to operate, which each mission costing approximately £4,200.
What is the impact of fundraising?
KSS receives the majority of its funding from public donations and fundraising. More than 91% of our income comes from the generosity of supporters, fundraisers, volunteers and local communities. The charity’s annual operating costs are over £20m, enabling us to provide a 24/7 lifesaving service across the region.
Where can I send enquiries about missions?
Journalists may send any enquiries about recent missions to news@aakss.org.uk. Due to the sensitive nature of our work, we are not always able to provide an immediate comment on our missions but will reply as soon as we are able to. Non media enquiries should be sent to hello@aakss.org.uk.
How can I set up an interview?
Journalists wishing to arrange an interview with a KSS spokesperson, clinician, patient, Communications Team representative or fundraising ambassador should contact the Communications Team on news@aakss.org.uk.
We will work to accommodate media requests as quickly as possible.
How can I request B-roll film and photography?
Broadcast-quality B-roll footage of KSS operations, helicopters, rapid response vehicles, crew training and other charity activities is available for media use on request. Please contact the Communications Team with details of your deadline and intended use on news@aakss.org.uk.
A selection of high-resolution images is available above. For specific photography requests, please contact the Communications Team on news@aakss.org.uk.
