Late last year Mayfair Office members, Howard Cundey raised over £600 for the life-saving charity Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance in one event.  In January 2013, Partners Jon Pearce and Tim Foulkes visited the Trust headquarters at Marden in Kent to present a cheque to Chief Pilot, Captain Blaine Ashurst.  It was decided that this local charity was such a worthwhile cause that we are sponsporing them this year with a cash donation and we are organising various events to raise further funds.

About Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance

Until this year, Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance flew during daylight hours only but launched a 24-hour service this Spring. The Trust operates one helicopter and one medical team by night from the charity’s other base at Redhill Aerodrome, covering all counties.

The Kent helicopter operates from Marden where it is hoped they will be able to fly at night in the next two years.

The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) is available to everyone living, working and travelling in the counties, 365 days a year. Put quite simply, any one of us may need it! The helicopter flies fast, direct and un-hindered and can reach the furthest part of each county within 20 minutes, saving vital time which can mean the difference between life and death. Both helicopters carry blood stocks to allow transfusions to be administered at the scene of a medical emergency rather than later on in hospital.

The highly-skilled specialist doctor and critical care paramedic effectively take to the scene the expertise and equipment that would normally be found only in the resuscitation area of a hospital’s A&E department. They can then carry out advanced medical procedures at the scene, giving patients the best chance and quality of survival.

On average both helicopters fly about four to six missions a day and more than 1,500 call-outs each year. 

It is a common misconception that the service is funded by the government when in fact it relies almost entirely on public donations and receives no National Lottery funding. It costs £6million a year to keep both helicopters flying. 

For more information on their work, visit http://www.kssairambulance.org.uk/.

For more information on Howard Cundey's sponsorship support of this please contact Matthew Ryde, Associate Partner on 01732 770588