February is National Heart Month. Our partners at Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) invite you to mark the month by learning CPR and how to use a defibrator as part of the KSS Mission badge.
If you've already completed the pack, why not run a refresher on these lifesaving skills and check out the new KSS cloud badges, now available to order in our shop.
In the meantime, take a look back on this exciting partnership so far.
September 2024 - A mission for Merstham
Brownies, Guides, Rangers and leaders from Merstham district were tasked with a top secret mission at the KSS base at the Redhill Aerodrome: to become the face of the partnership launch. There they met KSS fundraisers, pilots doctors and paramedics and took some promotional photos with one of the helicopters to help spread the word about the new partnership.
October 2024 - Partnership launch and Restart a Heart Day
At the heart of the partnership is the KSS Mission badge and pack. Brownies, Guides and Rangers can gain exciting insight into the charity’s vital work and find out more about the emergency medical services, aviation, the basic lifesaving skills of CPR and defibrillation and the importance of community support and fundraising.
The launch coincided with Restart a Heart Day on 16 October, when units were able to join a KSS paramedic or doctor via live stream or recorded session to learn how to perform bystander CPR and how to use a defibrillator, which can more than double someone's chances of surviving a cardiac arrest. We were delighted that around 250 units took part on or around the day.
Autumn 2024 - Fundraising pays off
We had reports of several successful unit fundraising campaigns for KSS, including 2nd Otford Brownies raising £297 with handmade Christmas decorations at the Otford Christmas Fayre. Meanwhile, Canterbury Division presented the charity with a cheque for an incredible £1873 following a CPR training and fundraising event.
February 2025 - We wore red
As part of fundraising efforts for the charity, units were encouraged to Wear Red Instead for KSS to unit meetings for a £1 donation. It was also a chance for units to review the lifesaver videos. Wear Red Instead with your unit anytime as part of the Fundraise with KSS cloud badge.
May 2025 - May-hem
KSS were on hand at our region-wide May-hem event where girls could learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator, and have a go at a crew fitness test. We were also treated to a flyover at lunchtime!
May 2025 - Brownies visit KSS
As part of the initial partnership launch, we invited units to complete the badge and enter a competition to visit KSS at Redhill Aerodrome. The winners were 1st Meopham Brownies from Kent West county, who had a tour of the base, got to sit inside the helicopter and try on some kit, and ask questions of the KSS crew.
June 2025 - Badges = donations
We were delighted to present KSS with a cheque for £1237 from the proceeds of the KSS Mission badges - a huge thank you to everyone who participated and ordered!
October 2025 - KSS cloud badges take to the skies
At the beginning of the month we launched the brand new cloud badges. These badges give our young members the chance to discover more about KSS beyond their helicopters and medical crews. Girls can learn about the fundraising team, the Patient and Family Aftercare Service, and how kindness and community support keep KSS flying. The badges are now available to purchase in our online shop.
October 2025 - Restart a Heart Day
We once again marked Restart a Heart Day, with a special message from region chief commissioner Amanda from onboard a KSS helicopter!
November 2025 - Marking World Kindness Day
As part of the Be Kind with KSS badge, young members can create colourful paper chains filled with messages of kindness whilst learning about the work of the Patient and Family Aftercare Team, and the vital work they do helping former patients. To celebrate World Kindness Day on 13 November, region staff and volunteers together with KSS crew and staff made our own paperchains we linked up virtually.
"There's nothing in this world that can't be achieved with determination and the desire to make things better" - Kate Chivers, Founder, Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex.
“Kindness is a ripple that never ends. A small act today can brighten someone’s world tomorrow. Thank you for being part of our Girlguiding community that makes kindness a habit.” - Amanda Teasel, chief commissioner
Ongoing - Guiding units complete the KSS Mission badge
Many units continue to complete the KSS Mission badge. 5th Crowborough Brownies are no exception. They took part in the KSS Air Ambulance challenge badge using the Restart a Heart Campaign video, and practised how to do CPR on their teddies.
Leader Karen said, "A visitor showed us how to use a defibrillator, and we all had a go with the training machines. We also did the First Aid Skills Builder and our Charities badge. We made cakes and held a fundraising evening for parents with a raffle, tea and cakes, and played Air Ambulance beetle as well as demonstrating our newly learnt skills. We raised £135 for the KSS Air Ambulance."
To date, 4167 members have earned the KSS Mission badge.
Spring 2026 - Learn with KSS
Look out for the latest cloud badge: Learn with KSS. Rainbows will learn all about burns, while Brownies, Guides and Rangers will learn about bleeds - both essential first aid skills when out and about during summer term.
