Burgess Hill District Lions Club support air ambulance’s coronavirus emergency appeal

The group, which has supported KSS over a number of years, voted unanimously to make a donation to the appeal – which has now raised £250,000, nearing the halfway mark of its initial fundraising target.

Launched in April, the KSS Coronavirus Emergency Appeal is aiming to raise at least £535,000.

The funds will help the charity to continue providing its vital life-saving services, alongside its frontline work to support in the fight against coronavirus.

Chris Thomas-Atkin, Lions club treasurer, said: “The Lions are proud of their association with the Air Ambulance Service.

“Over many years our club, which recently celebrated its 65th year, has participated in the ongoing support that Lions Clubs across the South East have provided enabling the service to purchase vital equipment to help save lives.”

“With the coronavirus pandemic however, these are extraordinary times and the scenario we face calls for unparalleled responses.

“The Burgess Hill District Lions were keen to provide this additional support to KSS’ Coronavirus Emergency Appeal to help those in need in our local communities at this most worrying of times.”

A registered charity, KSS is reliant upon public donations for 89 per cent of the £14million it costs each year to operate its life-saving service.

The additional costs of maintaining its service safely at the current time are significant, with full protection controls required for crews, patients and the aircraft.

Lynne Harris, executive director of income generation at KSS, said: “We are incredibly grateful to The Burgess Hill District Lions for their continued support at this difficult time.

“We also want to thank the 4,500 people who have supported our Coronavirus Emergency Appeal to date.

“Local residents, community groups and local businesses have united to support us and we are greatly encouraged by the response.”

“But there is still a long way to go. Our charity provides a vital service for the people of Kent, Surrey and Sussex – a service which is currently not provided by the NHS but which works in partnership with it.

“We urge everyone to donate to our appeal, if possible, so that we can continue to save as many lives as possible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

KSS has outlined a number of items that the organisation needs as part of its Coronavirus Emergency Appeal:

£35 could fund 200 fluid repellent surgical masks.

£50 could fund 50 ventilator filters for infection control within the aircraft.

£620 could fund a Versaflo respirator to help patients to breathe and protect them from hazardous substances.

Donations can be made online at www.aakss.org.uk/appeal.