Pulborough schoolgirls’ charity events raise more than £1000

Jemima Nash and Harriet Page, both 11, and Tegan Poole, ten, were inspired to raise money for the charity after two of their friends were airlifted.

The Focus School trio organised a cake sale, name the puppy contest, bike ride and market boot sale in a huge fundraising effort in just two months.

In that time, the girls managed to raise £1,013.

A school spokesperson said: “It was a great achievement for ten and 11 year-olds which they organised entirely themselves with great enthusiasm.”

Jemima, Harriet and Tegan presented a cheque to the charity last week, and were given a tour of the helicopter base.

They were even allowed to sit in the back of the MD902 Explorer which flies at speeds of up to 150mph and can reach the furthest part of each county within 25 minutes.

Tegan said: “It was interesting to visit the base and amazing to find out about everything the crew can do and how much equipment is on the helicopter.”

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance recently launched its schools presentation to educate youngsters about its lifesaving work.

Primary and secondary pupils can learn about how the helicopter is called out, types of missions, landing sites and major developments of the service such as night flying and blood transfusions.

A spokesperson for the air ambulance said: “If you would like to register your school to receive a schools support pack please contact the air ambulance’s Community Team on 01622 833833 or email [email protected]”

The air ambulance service in Kent, Surrey and Sussex costs around £6.5m annually to stay airborne. Receiving no funding from the National Lottery, the charity relies almost entirely upon the generosity of the public to support the two helicopters based at Marden in Kent and Redhill in Surrey.