Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex

What Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex does

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1021367, Company No. 2803242) founded in 1989 and headquartered at Rochester City Airport, Chatham. It operates Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, deploying AW169 helicopters and rapid response vehicles staffed by doctors and paramedics to deliver advanced pre-hospital care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service responds to an average of 9 emergency calls per day with response times under 30 minutes anywhere in the region and includes capabilities such as blood and plasma transfusions at the scene. The charity also operates a patient aftercare service supporting individuals and families following emergency treatment, and runs a research program into pre-hospital emergency medicine with body-worn video cameras used for clinical supervision and training.

KSS's technology footprint is operational rather than software-based: a fleet of AW169 helicopters acting as flying emergency rooms, supplemented by rapid response vehicles for hours or conditions where helicopters cannot fly. Clinical equipment supports advanced interventions (e.g., blood warmers with disposable tubing, defibrillators, blizzard blankets). Quality and clinical governance are anchored by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) Outstanding rating.

The business model is a diversified charity funding model. Direct public donations (one-time and monthly recurring) are supplemented by a weekly lottery (£1/week Regular Lottery plus £1/week Superdraw with jackpots up to £25,000) operated through a wholly-owned trading subsidiary, Air Ambulance Promotions Limited (AAPL, Company No. 02674568), which is licensed by the Gambling Commission. The lottery raised £8.5 million in 2024, with 79% of proceeds funding the lifesaving service. Additional revenue streams include seasonal raffles, an online merchandise shop, 2,700+ collection boxes placed in local businesses (generating ~£100K annually), corporate partnerships, and a broad calendar of paid or pledge-based fundraising events (Heli Hikes, marathons, skydives, charity dinners, endurance races). Daily operating cost is approximately £57,000. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via website, face-to-face canvassing across the region, email, social media, and physical event participation.

Name

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex

Legal name

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex

Website

https://aakss.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex is a UK registered charity operating Helicopter Emergency Medical Services across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, delivering 24/7 advanced pre-hospital care funded by donations, a weekly lottery, and community fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services

NAICS

Ambulance Services (621910), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (48121)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ambulance Fleet, Equipment & Logistics Services (HLAFANAN), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) & Ambulance Services (BPAIAGAC)

Keywords

• Helicopter emergency medical services
• Pre-hospital emergency care
• Charitable fundraising services
• Lottery fundraising programs
• Patient aftercare support

Headquarters

HQ city

Chartham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, both one-time and recurring monthly, form a core revenue stream. The organization runs various fundraising campaigns including Christmas appeals, community fundraising, and corporate partnerships.
2. Lottery and Raffle Programs: Weekly lottery with Regular Lottery (£1/week) offering prizes of £1,000, £250, and 10x£25, plus Superdraw (additional £1/week) with jackpots up to £25,000. Raffles include Summer Raffle with £5,000 top prize. Raised £8.5M through lottery in 2024 with 79% of proceeds funding lifesaving work.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling KSS branded merchandise including clothing, Christmas cards, and memorabilia. All profits support the lifesaving service.
4. Collection Box Program: Over 2,700 collection boxes placed in businesses, cafes, shops, garages, pubs and clubs across the region generating approximately £100,000 annually.
5. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorship: Business partnerships including event sponsorship, cause-related marketing, and corporate fundraising initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) operates a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) delivering advanced pre-hospital critical care to patients across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, 24/7, 365 days a year. The service deploys specialist doctors and paramedics in AW169 helicopters and rapid response vehicles, capable of performing advanced interventions including blood and plasma transfusions at the scene, reaching any location within the region in under 30 minutes.

Product overview

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) operates a unified emergency medical service portfolio centered on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), delivering pre-hospital critical care across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The charity combines its core helicopter emergency response operations with integrated fundraising products including the KSS Lottery (Regular Lottery and Superdraw), seasonal Raffles, and an online Shop. Engagement activities include Heli Hike challenge events, Family Fun Days featuring the Mini Medic Mission program for children, Corporate Events (Away Days, Race Days), and the annual Future Directions in HEMS professional conference. The organization also provides a Patient Aftercare Service for ongoing patient and family support following emergency treatment. All fundraising products support the core mission of keeping helicopters flying and crews saving lives 24/7.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) Emergency helicopter service providing pre-hospital critical care across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, responding to approximately 9 emergency calls per day on average. Free service available 24/7, 365 days per year to anyone in need.
• KSS Lottery (Regular Lottery) Weekly lottery game where players pay £1 per week via direct debit for chances to win cash prizes (£1,000 first prize, £250 second prize, 10 prizes of £25). Draws held every Wednesday. 79% of proceeds fund the lifesaving service.
• KSS Superdraw Jackpot rollover lottery add-on where players pay an additional £1 per week alongside the Regular Lottery for a chance to win up to £25,000 jackpot.
• Raffles Seasonal raffle offerings including Summer Raffle with prize up to £5,000 and Christmas Draw. Proceeds support the lifesaving air ambulance service.
• Heli Hike Walking/hiking challenge events across Kent, Surrey and Sussex with 3-mile, 7.5-mile, and 10-mile route options, combined with Family Fun Day access. Participants encouraged to raise £50+ for hero badge or £100+ for exclusive water bottle.
• Patient Aftercare Service Ongoing support and guidance for patients and their loved ones following emergency treatment, including bereavement support and special interest groups.
• KSS Shop Online merchandise store selling KSS branded clothing, Christmas cards, and memorabilia. All profits support the lifesaving service.
• Future Directions in HEMS Conference Annual professional symposium for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine professionals featuring innovation and knowledge sharing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Responds to 9 emergency calls per day on average
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ashdown Park HotelminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2025Partner venue for Wings of Hope Charity Dinner, providing facilities for KSS fundraising event at Ashdown Park, Nr Forest Row, East Sussex.
• South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKSS works seamlessly with South East Coast Ambulance Service as part of the 999-dispatch system to respond to emergency calls. The organizations coordinate closely for patient care and emergency response operations across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.
• NHS Hospital TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceiving hospital trusts work with KSS for seamless sharing of patient information and care continuity. KSS shares clinical records and receives outcome information from hospitals regarding patient treatment.
• GAMA AviationcoreTechnology or IntegrationAviation partner providing operational support for helicopter services. Listed as key partner in assisting KSS to deliver patient treatment.
• Air Ambulance Promotions Limited (AAPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly owned trading subsidiary of KSS, registered company in England and Wales (No. 02674568). Runs the lottery, raffles, and merchandise sales operations. Registered with Gambling Commission.
• Elite HotelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister hotel group partnering with Ashdown Park for the Wings of Hope Charity Dinner, providing award-winning catering including collaboration with The Grand, Eastbourne.
• Skyline EventsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization handling skydive bookings for KSS. Manages booking fees and coordinates jump dates at Headcorn Aerodrome and other locations.
• Sky Blue Adventures (SBA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert adventure team providing qualified mountain leaders and support for the 24-hour Three Peaks Challenge, including training plans and logistical support.
• Discover AdventureminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdventure challenge provider with 70+ challenges across 4 continents. Partners with KSS to offer trekking and cycling events for charity supporters.
• Ultra Challenge SeriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK's leading trek and trail run series with 20 events. Partners with KSS as associated charity for events including North Downs 50, South Coast Ultra, and Kent Downs 50.
• Realbuzz Running EventsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRunning events partner connecting runners with world events including Chicago Marathon, Valencia Marathon, Athens Marathon, and World Marathon Majors. Supports KSS charity places.
• SECAMBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth East Coast Ambulance Service partner featured at Family Fun Days showcasing emergency services collaboration. Part of the everyday heroes working alongside KSS.
• SERV (Same Event Relief Volunteer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlood bike service featured at Family Fun Days, providing voluntary medical courier services in the community alongside KSS.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust: Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) provides HEMS across Essex and Hertfordshire. Regional UK air ambulance charity peer with overlapping catchment and identical donation/lottery-driven funding structure.
• Midlands Air Ambulance Charity: Midlands Air Ambulance Charity operates helicopter emergency medical services across the West Midlands and surrounding counties. Directly comparable as a regional UK HEMS charity funded by donations and community fundraising.
• Great North Air Ambulance Service: GNAAS operates HEMS across the North East, North West and Cumbria. Direct UK HEMS charity peer with similar donation-driven funding model, lottery operations, and integrated NHS ambulance dispatch partnership.
• Magpas Air Ambulance: Magpas Air Ambulance operates HEMS across the East of England and beyond, delivering advanced pre-hospital care via helicopter and rapid response vehicles. Direct UK HEMS charity peer with doctor-led critical care model.
• East Anglian Air Ambulance: East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) provides HEMS across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. It is a direct regional UK HEMS charity peer operating the same model of helicopter-delivered advanced pre-hospital care funded by donations and lottery income.
• Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance: HIOWAA provides HEMS across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with charity-funded doctors and paramedics. Regional UK air ambulance peer with similar fundraising model and pre-hospital emergency medicine focus.
• London's Air Ambulance Charity: London's Air Ambulance Charity operates Helicopter Emergency Medical Services delivering pre-hospital critical care across London. It is the most comparable UK HEMS charity peer, sharing the same model of dispatching doctors and paramedics by helicopter with NHS ambulance service integration.
• North West Air Ambulance Charity: North West Air Ambulance Charity delivers enhanced pre-hospital care via helicopter and critical care car across the North West of England. Directly comparable UK HEMS charity with same donation-funded, doctor-led model.

Regional players

• Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust: Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust operates HEMS across Wales with multiple helicopter bases. Comparable UK charity peer serving a distinct regional geography with the same donation-funded HEMS operating model.
• Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance: Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) operates helicopter emergency response across Scotland funded entirely by public donations. Directly comparable UK HEMS charity with similar model, operating in a different geographic territory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/airambulancekss
• Facebookfacebook.com/airambulancekss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/airambulancekss

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex