Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex receives High Sheriffs’ Award

The UK’s Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) has received a High Sheriffs’ Award from the High Sheriffs of East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey.

This award is given in recognition of KSS’ outstanding services to the community.

The award was given by Jane King, James Whitmore and His Honour Christopher Critchlow DL, the Immediate Past High Sheriffs of East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey – who all visited KSS during their High Sheriff year (2022–23).

King and Whitmore returned to KSS’ base in Redhill on 12 June to present the award to KSS CEO David Welch, Medical Director Dr Duncan Bootland and Executive Director of Fundraising and Philanthropy, Kelly Heaton-Ralph.

“It was a real honour to receive this award on behalf of everyone at Team KSS, in recognition of the amazing service our charity provides to the community, and a great pleasure to welcome back Jane King and James Whitmore,” said Welch. “I want to convey my sincere thanks to the Immediate Past High Sheriffs for making this award, which is testament to the commitment of our extraordinary team.”

He added: “Last year we experienced our busiest year, responding to 3,224 critical incidents. It costs over £45,000 each day to operate our life-saving service, and most of this is funded by our communities. It is thanks to our communities in East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey and Kent that we can save lives when every second counts, and this award also recognises their incredible generosity.”