A private hospital has raised thousands of pounds for a life-saving charity.

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Service (KSS) has received more than £16,000 from the KIMS Hospital in Maidstone.

The hospital’s charity of the year is chosen by a team of more than 500 employees.

Since 2022, they have organised more than a dozen fundraising events – including two sponsored walks, a coronation-themed cake sale, a clothes swap and a summer family fun day.

KSS corporate relations officer Kerry Campbell said: “KIMS Hospital has been a fabulous charity supporter over the past two years.

“We’ve really enjoyed getting to know the team and being involved in their numerous fundraising activities, they truly have gone above and beyond.

“We’re so grateful for the staggering amount of money raised since 2022. Without support like this we can’t keep flying and saving lives.”

KIMS executive chairwoman Prema Subaskaran added: “The air ambulance is a vital service for our local community and I am immensely proud of our fundraising efforts.”

The team raised £16,248 and has already voted to support Rochester-based bereavement charity Holding on Letting Go (HOLG) for the next two years.

We spoke to two people who praised the “life-changing” support they received from HOLG after both losing parents at a young age. Click here to read more.

Fundraising for the new charity of the year will begin this month.