History of the Surrey Air Ambulance Service

History

Surrey was one of only a few counties in the UK that did not have its own dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service – HEMS, but this all changed in June 2007!

The Surrey Air Ambulance Appeal was launched in June 2005 by former High Sheriff of Surrey Penelope Keith CBE. The appeal target was set at a quarter of a million pounds.

The helicopter was launched by a host of celebrities including Penelope Keith and Bernard Cribbins on June 8^th 2007.

Responding swiftly to 999 calls, air ambulances are able to deliver a medical crew to the scene of an accident or medical emergency and to transport patients to the nearest major hospital or specialist unit, in a fraction of the time taken by a land ambulance. Surrey has a complete HEMS Service (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service), and employ’s the highest possible clinical standards in pre hospital care.

There are currently 18 independent air ambulance operators, all of which are registered charities and funded entirely by charitable donations, receiving no Government or National Lottery funding.

The service, based at Dunsfold Park will be flying fast, direct and unhindered at over 150 miles per hour and the entire county can be reached within minutes.

However, the challenge now is to meet the yearly running costs of approximately £1.7 million to provide Surrey and neighboring Sussex with an emergency helicopter service, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Receiving no funding from the National Lottery the charity relies almost entirely upon the generosity of the public to support the Surrey Air Ambulance.

Present

Surrey Ambulance is now Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust.

Charity Information is here.