The air ambulance will be able to reach more patients than ever before as it reaches its £1 million goal to buy its second helicopter.

The Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) launched an urgent appeal six weeks ago to purchase the aircraft and secure the future of the service.

KSS currently only owns one aircraft and was hiring the other from another firm.

However, at the end of last year, it found out its aviation partner was going to be sold and potentially fall into administration meaning there could be a significant price increase in the cost of running the second helicopter.

It launched its urgent Buy it for Life appeal to purchase the aircraft instead of leasing it but only had until the end of May to secure the funds.

Today (May 16), KSS revealed it has reached its £1 million goal and can now buy the helicopter.

The charity’s chief executive, David Welch, said: “This amazing achievement has only been made possible by the extraordinary kindness of individuals, businesses, trust and foundations, schools and community groups, who have so quickly and generously responded to our urgent appeal.

“We have been completely overwhelmed by the remarkable response so far and would like to thank everyone for their incredible generosity and inspiring messages of support.

“Every single penny and every single second counts when lives are on the line, so we are now encouraging our communities to go even further above and beyond our £1 million goal in the final few weeks of our appeal.

“Every extra penny raised will be spent on our lifesaving helicopters which will enable us to reach more patients and save even more lives, keeping more families together.”

Buying the second helicopter will save the charity about half a million pounds and reach a further 200 patients a year, allowing it to fly for an extra six hours a day and in more challenging weather conditions.

At the moment, it can fly one helicopter for 24 hours a day but the other is only available for 12 hours.

It will also allow KSS to grow its Patient and Family Aftercare Service and introduce more community-based prevention and education activities.

Although the £1 million goal has been reached, the charity is still urging people to donate in the final few weeks of the appeal with all the funds going towards the running cost of the helicopters.

You can donate here or by visiting www.aakss.org.uk/helicopter.

As part of the appeal, KentOnline spoke with two former patients who say they owe their lives to the air ambulance service and the crews behind it.

Read Giles Phillips’ story whose bedroom was turned into an operating theatre by KSS after he collapsed at home.

Read Warren Porritt’s story whose life was also saved by KSS after he was involved in a motorbike crash.

Last month, schoolchildren from across the county were invited to KSS’ base for the launch of its competition to pick a name for two of its aircraft.

Pupils have already come up with some names including Hillary, Lifty the Lifesaver, Dave, Sana - which means to heal in Latin - and Asclepius after the Greek god of medicine.

In 2023, KSS responded to 3,328 emergency incidents and treated 1,912 patients - on average five people a day - with 42% of missions being in Kent.

It costs £18.8 million a year to run the service with 88% of its income funded by donations.

KSS is called to the most serious medical emergencies in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, making around nine missions every day.