The club’s President, Sonia Williams, went to the charity’s operational headquarters at Redhill Airport, meeting one of their pilots and the medical crew.
She said: “It was an extremely interesting visit and gave a tremendous insight into the great work they do, responding to many incidents across the South-East each day.”
It costs more than £11million to run the air ambulance each year, about half of which is generated from their own lottery, with the rest coming from donations. It costs £3,500 each time a helicopter is launched to attend an incident.
The Rotary Club’s President-elect, Phil Higgins, has nominated Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex as their main charity for this year’s Tonbridge Half Marathon, which takes place on Sunday October 6.
Two years ago, one of the runners in the event, Barney Burgess, collapsed with a heart attack less than a mile from the finish line.
The air ambulance was called and he was lifted to King’s College Hospital, London, where he made a full recovery.
Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex’s key fundraiser, Dora Szekfi, said to the rotary club: “We are so grateful for this cheque you have given us, and we really appreciate the fact that you have nominated us as your headline charity for the 2019 Tonbridge Half Marathon.
“We look forward to helping you on the day with marshalling and in whatever other ways we can to ensure a successful event.”
