Olympic Legend Sally Gunnell Backs Surrey Air Ambulance
Olympic Legend Sally Gunnell Champions Our Air Ambulance
The Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) has announced that Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell OBE has stepped into a vital new role as an official charity ambassador. Gunnell, who famously won the 400m hurdles at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, is a familiar and beloved figure across the South East. Her appointment comes at a crucial time for the lifesaving service, which provides world-class pre-hospital emergency care to patients in their hour of greatest need. The helicopter crews are a frequent and reassuring sight in the skies above Dorking and the surrounding Surrey Hills, where challenging terrain often makes rapid road access difficult. Gunnell's passion for health, wellbeing, and community fitness makes her the perfect fit to champion the charity's lifesaving mission. By raising awareness of the charity's reliance on public support, she hopes to inspire local residents to get behind fundraising campaigns, ensuring that these yellow helicopters can continue to land in our school fields, parks, and roadsides whenever tragedy strikes.
How Surrey Communities and Businesses Keep Helicopters Flying
Operating a 24/7 air ambulance service requires immense resources, and KSS relies almost entirely on public donations and corporate partnerships to raise the millions needed each year. In tight-knit Surrey communities like East Horsley, support comes from all corners of the economy. It is not just large corporations backing the cause; independent local businesses are also stepping up. For example, local bathroom fitters completing a high-end bathroom refurbishment in the area have been known to donate a portion of their profits or organise charity raffles to support KSS. This grassroots backing from local tradespeople and homeowners highlights the deep connection Surrey residents feel toward the service. Whether it is a building firm, a high street shop, or self-employed trade professionals, the collective effort of our local business community plays an indispensable role in keeping these medical crews equipped with the advanced technology they need to save lives.
Rising Operational Costs and How You Can Take Action
Despite the celebratory news of Sally Gunnell joining the team, KSS chief executive David Welch has warned of the ongoing financial pressures facing the charity. The rising cost of aviation fuel, exacerbated by recent global events, has put a strain on operational budgets. To keep the helicopters in the air, the charity is calling on residents across the region to actively participate in upcoming fundraisers, lottery schemes, and volunteer drives. Local families can get involved by hosting community bake sales, joining organised charity walks, or simply signing up for a regular monthly donation. With Sally Gunnell at the helm of upcoming public campaigns, residents should look out for local events scheduled across Surrey in the coming months. Supporting KSS is a direct investment in the safety of our own neighbourhoods, ensuring that if the worst should happen on our local roads or in our homes, help is only ever a few minutes away.
Source: Olympic champion Sally Gunnell named ambassador for Air Ambulance
