Kent Air Ambulance Week: September 5 - September 11

WHAT would you do if you had £4,000 a day to spend? Go on an extravagant shopping spree? Stock your fridge with fine foods and wines? Book that exotic holiday you have always dreamed about?

For the Kent Air Ambulance that sum of money could mean the difference between life and death for a patient.

It costs £1.5 million a year to provide the county with the air ambulance service and because the charity does not receive any government funding, it means it has to rely on the generosity of the public to ensure it can continue delivering its services.

The majority of the money the charity receives comes from donations and items sold at boot fairs, raffles and events.

It also receives 20 per cent of its income from money left by generous benefactors in a legacy.

And if you’re fed up that your six numbers still haven’t come up, you can even have a flutter and be in with a chance of winning £1,000 a week on the Kent Air Ambulance Appeal Lottery.

When you enter the lottery you will receive a unique five-figure membership number, which is entered into the draw, which takes place each Wednesday. As well as the top prize, there are also prizes of £250 (2nd prize) and 10 prizes of £25 each.

Working behind the scenes is a dedicated team who come up with new money-making ideas each week.

Events co-ordinator Veronica Wiseman is one of the team who works hard to ensure targets are met.

She said: "We rely heavily on the generosity of the public to keep going.

"We get a lot of money from donations, which some people bring up to the office. When they come up, we show them around so they know where their money will be used."

She also helps look after the dedicated army of volunteers who man stalls at fetes and fairs and collect money for the charity.

Mrs Wiseman said: "We have about 100 volunteers working for us, but we really do need more.

"We have a loyal and hard-working team, including some who have benefited from the air ambulance and want to do their bit to say 'thank you'.

"Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people. You get to go to lots of different events and you are doing something worthwhile."

*If you would like to become a volunteer for the air ambulance, find out more about the lottery or make a donation, call 01622 833833 or visit www.kentairambulance.org.uk.