AIR AMBULANCE KENT SURREY SUSSEX SHORTLISTED FOR CHARITY OF THE YEAR AWARD 2020

Air-Ambulance-Kent-Surrey-Sussex

Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) has been shortlisted by Charity Times for a Charity of the Year Award 2020 – a prestigious national award which celebrates excellence amongst charities and not for profit organisations from across the UK.

KSS is one of six charities to have been selected as a finalist in the category of Charity of the Year: with an income of more than £10 million. Other finalists in this category include Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, Blood Cancer UK and Elton John AIDS Foundation.

According to Charity Times, the shortlist for this category consists of charities which have consistently delivered outstanding service to its beneficiaries, been clear in their goals and strategy, and demonstrated excellence all round, especially within the past year. The shortlisted charities all demonstrated how their vision, work and commitment stands apart from the rest.

David Welch, CEO, KSS: “We are thrilled that, in our 30th year, we have received this fantastic external endorsement which is a real testament to the commitment and dedication of our entire team. It recognises our achievements in delivering an exemplary and pioneering service which pushes boundaries in our sector whilst also saving lives and enabling the best possible patient outcomes.”

Charity Times Awards, now in their 21st year, celebrate and promote best practice in the UK’s charity and not for profit sector, contribute towards raising the standards of charity management and provide recognition for those who are providing effective support to the sector. A list of finalists is available here. Winners will be announced on 3 September 2020. 

About KSS

Operating out of Redhill Aerodrome and headquartered in Rochester, KSS provides world-leading pre-hospital emergency care and plays an important role in supporting the NHS and wider health services. Its crews of pilots, doctors and paramedics fly over 2,500 missions a year.

KSS, now in its 30th year, operates 24/7 and has a strong track record in driving the sector forwards in terms of medical and technological innovation. It was the first (and is currently the only) 24/7 Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in the country. In March 2020, KSS became the first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service to be rated ‘Outstanding’ in all five areas of its CQC inspection: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

In April 2020, KSS launched an Emergency Appeal for the first time in its history. Thanks to the generous support from the local community and a Government grant of £140,000, the charity has already raised over £1m, enabling it to remain fully operational at all times throughout the pandemic. KSS must raise a further £1.9m to ensure it can continue to save lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For further information about Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex, please visit www.aakss.org.uk