Paramedic students swap lecture halls for helicopter hangar after fundraiser for air ambulance charity

Earlier this year, a team of students from the University’s Paramedic Science course raised over £5,000 for KSS by organising a 24-hour CPR marathon. As a thank-you for their incredible effort, they were recently invited behind the scenes at KSS’s Redhill base – offering them a unique opportunity to see the critical care team in action, and a glimpse into the kind of work they may one day be part of.

On 11 June, a group of students visited the charity’s airbase, where they took part in a full afternoon of activity – including a tour of the base, live demonstrations of critical interventions, and a chance to speak directly with the air ambulance crew and support team.

A formal cheque presentation also took place, recognising the student’s fantastic fundraising efforts. The visit offered a unique opportunity for students to see the direct impact of their fundraising initiative and build real professional relationships with frontline emergency services – connections that could shape their future careers.

KSS Community Fundraiser for Sussex, Ruby Hunt said: “It was great to be able to welcome the paramedic students from the University of Brighton to our base and give them an insight into our work. As a charity we depend on the support of the communities we serve so we’re really grateful for the amazing effort from everyone involved in raising this money. As well as raising vital funds, the 24 hour CPR event also increased awareness of the importance of learning CPR.”

KSS Clinical Operations Manager Ben Macauley said: “It was great to welcome such an enthusiastic group to our operational base and hear about their incredible fundraising. We were delighted to give them an insight into our work which will hopefully help with their studies and may influence their future career choices as paramedics.”

The February fundraiser – which took place in the University’s new, purpose-built Paramedic Science Suite at Falmer campus – was the idea of second-year student Emily Sammut, who was inspired to support the charity after seeing the KSS team in action during her placement.

As well as the round-the-clock CPR activity, the marathon also gave staff and students across the University the chance to learn vital life-saving skills, with hands-on training in CPR using simulation mannequins.

Emily said: “The opportunity to visit the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance base is incredibly valuable to us as student paramedics, offering a rare insight into the advanced pre-hospital care environment. It’s especially exciting that this opportunity came as a result of the 24h CPR Marathon charity event I had organised back in February, making the experience even more meaningful.

“Seeing the direct impact of our fundraising efforts is truly rewarding. This visit enhances our university learning by bridging theory with real-world practice, inspiring us through first-hand exposure to critical care operations and multidisciplinary teamwork. It’s an unforgettable step in our journey to becoming confident, capable paramedics.”

Most of the students taking part in the visit were from Years 2 and 3 of the course, with one first-year student also joining the experience. All wore smart uniform for the day, in line with professional standards, and gained insights that will inform both their academic study and their future work in the NHS or emergency services.

Dr. Angela Glynn, Dean of the School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Brighton, said: “This visit was a fantastic way to reward our students for their hard work, while also building meaningful connections with a leading pre-hospital care provider. It’s not just a thank-you – it’s part of their learning, helping to reinforce classroom teaching with practical insights and a clearer understanding of what services like KSS bring to the scene. Opportunities like this give our students deeper knowledge and real professional inspiration.”

The Paramedic Science course at Brighton combines expert teaching with immersive placements and professional partnerships that prepare students for a fast-paced career in emergency and out-of-hospital care.

The University prides itself on healthcare education that’s grounded in compassion, confidence and community – empowering students not only to succeed in their chosen field, but to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.

The University of Brighton is hosting undergraduate open days at its Falmer campus on Friday 27 June and Saturday 28 June 2025, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. These events are an excellent opportunity to explore the courses taught at Falmer, meet academic staff, tour our facilities, and experience student life firsthand. If you can't make it, you can take a tour of our campuses in July.