The Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey, Sussex (KSS) has been given £12,500 by a metal detectorist group.

The Invicta Seekers Metal Detecting Group raised the money through donations, raffles and other fundraising events.

Headquartered in Ashford, Kent, where it meets monthly, the detectorists’ group was founded in 2011 with an emphasis on charitable giving and to boost members’ physical and mental health.

The air ambulance attends more than 3,000 incidents every year and can reach any destination in its three-county area within half an hour.

It works every hour of every day of the year and since it took off 35 years ago has attended almost 50,000 incidents.

Without receiving money from central government it relies on donations and requires well over £20m a year to run – which is £57,000 per day or nearly £5,000 per mission.

Kevin Gilbert from Invicta said: “The air ambulance provides a wonderful service and we are fortunate to have it.

“When we go out detecting we are often in very rural locations and it is reassuring to know that if someone is taken ill or has an accident there is an air ambulance that can be at the scene within minutes.

“It is a highly valued service and relies on donations so everyone in our club was motivated to raise as much as they could.

“We are non-profit making and want to grow our membership, which will mean we can raise more money for our chosen charities.

“To do that we need landowners to allow us to detect and we are always keen to hear from them.”

Emily Madigan, Kent Community Fundraiser at Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS), said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Invictis for their ongoing support and the fantastic £12,500 they’ve raised for Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) since 2013.

“Their dedication over the years is truly inspiring, and every pound they’ve raised helps us continue delivering lifesaving treatment and care across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

“As a charity, 91% of our funding comes from the generosity of our supporters so contributions like this make a real difference to the communities we serve.”

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