Sam Jenner

Every Christmas is an even more special time than usual for me, my partner Mark and our son Jack as we know just how lucky we are to share them thanks to people just like you who go out of your way to support Air Ambulance Charity Kent Sussex Surrey (KSS).

Each year as we celebrate, we raise a glass and say thank you to the medics and crew from the air ambulance and the incredible doctors at King’s College Hospital who saved my life after I suffered a cardiac arrest.

I was 23 weeks and five days pregnant with Jack when it happened while I was getting ready for work one September morning. The next I knew was when I woke in hospital three days later.

I was there because of the skill of the Air Ambulance medics who came to my aid, kept me alive and transferred me into the care of King’s College Hospital.

Sam, Mark and baby Jack met Dr Eyston Vaughan-Huxley when they visited our base
Former patient Sam Jenner with her family on a visit to see Santa. With your support we can continue to be `Ready to Save Lives' like Sam's
I was determined to be home by Christmas to celebrate with my loved ones.

Jack was born in King’s College Hospital on 29th November and on 12th December I had heart surgery. While I was recovering in Kings, one of the air ambulance doctors who had treated me on the day I collapsed, Dr Eyston Vaughan-Huxley, called the ward to ask how I was. When they told him he could talk to me so I could tell him myself, he was amazed that I was well enough for that.

I thanked him from the bottom of my heart and apologised for not being able to remember him saving me. He said I didn’t need to be sorry, I just needed to get better.

True to my word, Jack and I left hospital on 18th December in time for us all to spend Christmas at home together.

Sadly I missed my baby shower due to being taken ill so we decided to celebrate Jack’s arrival with a belated one instead. I was keen to start fundraising for KSS so instead of gifts I asked for donations and then continued to raise funds by holding a coffee morning.

I have been lucky enough to visit the charity’s Rochester base along with Jack and Mark and to meet Dr Eyston Vaughan-Huxley and Paramedic David Wright who helped save my life.

There were hugs and tears all round. I will never be able to thank them enough for saving me and my baby.

Since then our family has grown further with the arrival of Mia in 2020 but KSS has a special place in my heart.

This year, as every year, we will take time over Christmas to remember all they did for us both.

Our patients are at the centre of what we do.

There is nothing more heart-warming for our team than when a former patient gets in touch and wants to visit us. If you, or a family member, has been a patient of ours and would like to get in touch, we would love to hear from you. 

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Saving lives when every second counts

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