ALAN WILLETT will donate money to cover the cost of Kent Air Ambulance’s annual fuel bill.

The former Lord Lieutenant of Kent will visit the airbase at Marden on Monday morning to launch the Allan Willett Foundation with a gift of £20,000.

The foundation has been set up with an initial endowment of £2m and the intention of distributing around £300,000 each year “for the general benefit of persons living, working and studying in Kent and promoting the efficiency of the armed forces.

David Philpott, the chief executive of the charity, said: Last year we spent over £18,000 on aviation fuel. This very generous contribution will allow us to continue to fly to the sick and injured without any worries about the cost implications.”

Mr Willett, who lives in Chilham, near Canterbury, said: “The Foundation is delighted to support this most worthwhile Kent-based humanitarian cause.”

During his visit, Mr Willett will meet fundraising staff and the pilots and paramedics of the emergency helicopter.

Mr Willet started his own business at the age of 26, building it into a global coding and labelling company, Willett International.

He spent 12 years in high-profile public sector roles, including being the first chairman of the South East England Development Agency, before his appointment as Lord Lieutenant of Kent in January 2002.