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
Christopher Hunt - April 22, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"You're all doing a grand job, keep up the good work !"
Yvonne stainton - April 21, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"Love you guys"
Anonymous - April 19, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"you'll don't know when this service will be required. It may be you, family or friend. there when you need it!"
Sueg Lumsden - April 16, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"My late partner was a supporter of Air Ambulance & I am continuing in his name. A wonderful charity where amazing individuals do unbelievable work. Thank you is all I can say & I know it's not enough."
Anonymous - April 15, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"You do marvellous work and I thank you"
Brenda Walker - April 14, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"An amazing organisation doing amazing work. Happy to give what I can when I can"
Anonymous - April 14, 2025
Donated: £10.00
"in constant awe of the amazing work you do"
Phillip Cate - April 13, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"I Hope that this small gift will be of some assistance"
Shirley Hilton - April 13, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"I`m so pleased to be able to donate towards the Kent and East Sussex Air Ambulance. It's a very worthy cause. Thank you for all you do."
Kate Chivers - April 12, 2025
Donated: £95.00
"Keep up the good work. You are so important to all our communities."
Anonymous - April 12, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"Thanks to all the Team for doing such an amazing job. You are truly inspirational."
jennifer kent - April 12, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"The work you do for everone is without a doubt a true calling. I had an accident and had to take use of the service and you were all billiant. Thank you all so much for all the lives you save. Jennifer Kent"
Anonymous - April 12, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"You do a wonderful job and have saved many people that are close to me."
Anonymous - April 11, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"My husband was a long time donater to KSS,so when he passed away 7 years ago ,I took over his number in his memory."
Patricia Barnard - April 11, 2025
Donated: £20.00
"You do such wonderful work, we all really appreciate the whole team"
Elizabeth Harris - April 11, 2025
Donated: £20.00
"Keep it up, wonderful work"
Anonymous - April 11, 2025
Donated: £100.00
"Thank you for saving people's lives. You are doing a wonderful job."
Anonymous - April 11, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"You are all amazing keep up the good work hope this donation helps a little."
Hans-Georg Wagner - April 11, 2025
Donated: £95.00
"Your work is essential. Thank you very much."
Anonymous - April 11, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"So many lives are saved by you, it’s a wonderful service saving so many families from the heartache of a sudden death and having experienced that it takes a long while to recover."
Anonymous - April 11, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"Keep up the vital good work"
Michelle Chinery - April 11, 2025
Donated: £30.00
"I am moor than. Happy to support amazing. Charity."
Anonymous - April 11, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"Happy to support you in your work and you deserve a lot more recognition for being there when you’re needed"
Anonymous - April 11, 2025
Donated: £100.00
"My long ago memories of visiting the Blue Bell hill memorial sys it all"
Anonymous - April 10, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"Thank goodness I haven’t had need of your care but ever so grateful to you for the job you do for the community."
Anonymous - April 10, 2025
Donated: £15.00
"Thank you for all you do. I hope myself and my family never need your service but it’s reassuring to know you are there if the worst ever happens"
Daran Wilkins - April 10, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"Keep up the great work guys X"
MR ANDREW MEIKLE - April 10, 2025
Donated: £10.00
"Please carry on your great work - THANKS !!!!"
Aubrey Buckles - April 10, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"Big thankyou for the service you provide, always reassuring to know we have you to call on in time of need. Again thankyou."
Dennis Phillips - April 10, 2025
Donated: £100.00
"This time of year there will be more traffic on our roads , it is essential that we keep your services up and running to keep death's to a minimum."
David Hunt - April 10, 2025
Donated: £200.00
"Donation is in memory of and from my wife Carole and me, David. We appreciate the service you give to all who need your help."
Jennie Treleaven - April 10, 2025
Donated: £50.00
"You do a brilliant job- keep up the good work!"
David Metcalf - April 10, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"Glad to help support your vital work"
Anonymous - April 10, 2025
Donated: £25.00
"GIVE TO A CHARITY THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, SAVES LIVES."
Anonymous - April 5, 2025
Donated: £7.50
"Great service , great team effort , good results are a benefit to us all .A"