Every spring, medical emergencies surge across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Will you help us be ready?
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Messages to our crew from recent donors
Life can change in an instant...
Scenic cycles. The first barbecue of the year. That gardening project you’ve been putting off all winter. When spring arrives, the great outdoors gets busy – and tragically, medical emergencies surge.
None of us start a lovely sunny morning expecting to be met with one of the most challenging days of our lives. But that’s exactly what happened when Sam, a keen cyclist, devoted husband, and beloved father, hopped on his bike for a leisurely ride. Helmet on his head, breeze on his face, Sam was barely 400m from his door when he was involved in a collision. A van unexpectedly turned in front of him, knocking him unconscious and causing serious injury.
I’m Tom, one of the paramedics at Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) and I was on duty when the call came in for our crew to respond to this serious road traffic accident. Within minutes, we were briefed and in the air with our medical equipment loaded.
Soon after, we were on the scene with Sam. I assessed him immediately. My first priority was to treat his pain, and then to sedate him and splint his injuries.
It’s thanks to people like you that we were able to care for Sam. But when accidents surge this spring, more people in our communities will need our lifesaving crew.
“It has struck me that although I was with KSS for such a relatively short time, your care
undoubtedly provided me with the best possible outcome from my accident."
-Sam, former KSS Patient
Sam’s vital signs were dangerously low, and he was in a critical condition. Time was ticking. When someone sustains a serious injury, every second counts. Once we had treated and stabilised Sam, we needed to fly him to a specialist hospital, which would have been an uncomfortable hour-long journey by road – but by air, we could get him to a major trauma centre in a matter of minutes.
Every spring, I brace myself for a surge in medical emergencies like Sam’s collision. With more people heading outside for bike rides, barbecues, and DIY projects, life-threatening incidents increase.
Sam sustained serious injuries which led to a long process of several surgeries and intensive
physiotherapy. I caught up with him recently, and it was great to see he’s making a good recovery. He’s back on his bike, too!
Last year, certain types of medical incidents doubled in spring compared with winter.
That means more
Reflecting on how his life today could have been very different given the severity of his collision, Sam told me:
“It has struck me that although I was with KSS for such a relatively short time, your care undoubtedly provided me with the best possible outcome from my accident.”
He added: “The crew brought a sense of calm among the other first responders. It was clear that the team were experienced in dealing with these incidents. They took control of the situation.”
Sam asked me to pass on an important message encouraging every cyclist to invest in the best helmet they can afford. So please, I hope you’ll enjoy the outdoors this spring, but whether you’re on a bike ride, doing DIY in the house or garden, or lighting the barbecue – do stay safe.
Tom Mikrut
Kevin Ludbrook - December 8, 2025
Donated: £30.00
"Great service that's helped several people near me. I hope I don't need it but I'm glad it's there."
Anonymous - December 8, 2025
Donated: £30.00
"Our son in law sadly died, but your support gave our family the chance to say goodbye. An incredible gift."
Anonymous - December 8, 2025
Donated: £200.00
"Thank you for your prompt and efficient response that saved our son-in-law's life."
Good Energy - December 8, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"Donation made on behalf of Harry Head."
Sally Woodgate - December 7, 2025
Donated: £100.00
"Given by the family of Clive Woodgate May 2025 .RIP Thank-you for your attendance and valiant efforts , it meant the world to us at the time .Xx"
Bearsted Cricket Club and the Bearsted & Thurham Club - December 7, 2025
Donated: £917.50
"Donation by Bearsted Cricket Club and the Bearsted & Thurham Club. Annual charity match 2025."
Edward Cranfield - December 7, 2025
Donated: £10.00
"The KSS is a favorite charity of mine. This current donation was prompted by the Kirdford Christmas Tractor Run. Thanks to them also for supporting such a worthy cause."
Hilary Hinks - December 6, 2025
Donated: £60.00
"Thank you so much for all you do. Take care. Hilary"
Anonymous - December 5, 2025
Donated: £45.00
"God bless you all."
John Goodman - December 5, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"Thank you for being there for us in our hour of need."
Anonymous - December 5, 2025
Donated: £30.00
"In memory of my Friend Daphne Hitchins"
Marie Godfrey - December 4, 2025
Donated: £60.00
"Keep up the fantastic work."
Rayner Snelling - December 3, 2025
Donated: £20.00
"Keep up the good work we need you all"
Lars Lemonius - December 3, 2025
Donated: £500.00
"Thank you for a wonderful carol service on Monday."
Anonymous - December 3, 2025
Donated: £45.00
"I have donated monthly to KSS for some time but in October was fortunate to be a winner in your Club 24/7 Lottery. I really appreciated this and your invite to visit but as I was unwell at the time and am nearly 80 I didn’t see this until time had passed and was not really able to accept. I just want to show my appreciation of the work you do and my good fortune!"
Joan Clark - December 3, 2025
Donated: £100.00
"Keep up the good work."
Sylvia Scott - December 2, 2025
Donated: £10.00
"Such a vital service, keep up the good work"
Kris Rods - December 2, 2025
Donated: £20.00
"Thank you. You guys are heroes"
Anonymous - December 2, 2025
Donated: £60.00
"Our gift is in memory of Ray Pinder whose family identified your organisation and cause as one Ray would wish to support. We wish you well in the extraordinary work of care and service you undertake."
Battel Bonfire Boyes - December 2, 2025
Donated: £250.00
"Donation from Battle Bonfire Society, following street collection at our annual Bonfire celebrations"
John Savage - December 2, 2025
Donated: £75.00
"Thank you all so much for all your dedication and professional skills in saving lives every day."
Antonia Comer - December 2, 2025
Donated: £14.00
"On the ground or in the air all of you paramedics are angels"
Anonymous - December 2, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"Thank you for all your knowledge and expertise. Thank you for giving people a second chance in their hour of need."
Susa Hope - December 2, 2025
Donated: £75.00
"The family originally in Kent began support many years ago. I want to continue that."
Tara Shefford - December 2, 2025
Donated: £14.00
"A charity close to my heart, you helped save my husband's life on the 7th Nov 2020 in Guildford. A day we celebrate life now more than ever"
Geoff Wild - December 2, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"A very worthy cause which I am pleased to give to."
Anonymous - December 2, 2025
Donated: £30.00
"Thank you so much for all you do. The people of Kent know you are there when needed."
Anonymous - December 2, 2025
Donated: £45.00
"Angels, the lot of you! **"
Susan Lancaster - December 2, 2025
Donated: £45.00
"Thank you KSS Air Ambulance for your dedication to help all those in need of your incredible life saving service, especially during the Christmas festive season. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! ♥️"
Barbara Gouin - December 2, 2025
Donated: £45.00
"thank you for all you do"
Anonymous - December 2, 2025
Donated: £14.00
"Well done for the work you do and a Happy Christmas also a Happy New Year and many thanks for the work you do"
Brian Allwood - December 2, 2025
Donated: £10.00
"The work you all do is second to none, amazing commitment"
Stuart Anthony Mitchell - December 2, 2025
Donated: £45.00
"Please donate. You never expect to be a former patient!"
Janet Knowles - December 2, 2025
Donated: £60.00
"My son’s life was saved by 3 wonderful women doing CPR and knowing how to use a Defibrillator. Everyone should learn how to respond if needed."
Szilvia Kocsy - December 2, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"Thank you for your invaluable work. This Giving Tuesday, I'd like to say thank you for your work. Last year, I missed my citizenship ceremony due to a massive accident on the motorway. I went to celebrate with my family. Others didn't even make it home. We had a private ceremony afterwards. But having passed the accident scene, never before did I think about the work you do. So just my way of saying: thank you for all you do."
Chloe Shaw - December 2, 2025
Donated: £14.00
"Help them"
Chloe Shaw - December 2, 2025
Donated: £14.00
"Thankyou!"
Waverley Contract & Supply Ltd - November 27, 2025
Donated: £115.00
"May this contribution help carry someone to safety, comfort a family, and strengthen the heroes who respond without hesitation."
Ayatollah Dehghani - November 26, 2025
Donated: £5.00
"Human beings are bound together as members of one body; when pain touches one, the others cannot remain untouched."
Lucy Ching - November 25, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"Thank you for the service you provide"
Hazel Hanley - November 24, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"Keep up your amazing work"
Pauline Evans - November 23, 2025
Donated: £100.00
"THank you for doing such an incredible service"
Mike Crosd - November 23, 2025
Donated: £100.00
"Marvellous service - keep up the good work!"
Anne Graham - November 22, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"Thank you for efforts and I hope it will be a quiet Christmas."
Lisa Montague - November 21, 2025
Donated: £60.00
"Thank you for the incredible work you do. I truly cannot express how grateful I am that you were there to transfer my brother Lee from Maidstone Hospital to Ashford after he suffered a completely unexpected cardiac arrest at just 46. Your swift action was absolutely vital to him still being here with us—and able to spend Christmas with our family today. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
Terence Wright - November 20, 2025
Donated: £100.00
"Many thanks for rapidly attending my cardiac arrest event 0n 03/12/24 at East Horsley Station."
Chris Bourn - November 20, 2025
Donated: £90.00
"Thank you for all the good work you do!"
Kathleen Chivers - November 20, 2025
Donated: £100.00
"Keep up your essential lifesaving work. You are needed by so many people. Kate."
Kathryn Fuller - November 19, 2025
Donated: £14.00
"I am in constant awe of paramedics - luckily I have no experience of KSS Air Ambulance but I do of Road Ambulance and I know you are all part of the same amazing team. You all work together to help people at the worst times of their lives and for that I applaud and love what you do and how you do it!"
Anonymous - November 19, 2025
Donated: £14.00
"Love from all of us"