Meet the Staff
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Meet the Staff
David Philpott, Chief Executive  

I count it a great privilege to be Chief Executive of this life-saving organisation.


I see my role, as one of empowering the staff to achieve ever- improving levels of effectiveness, whether they are fundraisers, operational crew or working with the administration or finances of the charity. Our greatest resource is our people and leading such a gifted team is very rewarding.


I am also the link between the Trustee Board and the staff, ensuring full clinical and governance compliance.


Biographical Sketch


John Tickner, Director of Operations  

I have been involved with helicopter operations since 1990 when I first began work as a Police Officer on the Sussex helicopter, doing both police and air ambulance front line work.

 

Since 2002, I have been working solely for this charity, responsible for the safe, effective and efficient running of our helicopter operations. My job involves directing the strategic management of our operation both in our local delivery as well as where we fit into the national development of the air ambulance industry. My job involves liaising with the different ambulance services, hospitals, contractors, the Civil Aviation Authority and in fact anyone that our operation comes into contact with.


I have the privilege of leading a very dedicated team of six Doctors, eleven Paramedics, four Pilots and a Nurse. I have the pleasure of working alongside a very professional team of charity staff and regard myself as a very lucky man.

 

 I never imagined that I would have a career in charity, or that it could be so rewarding. All I can add is that you cannot have my job just yet!

 

Jill Playle, Director of Communications  

I joined the Air Ambulance in early 2005 having previously worked for a regional media company.


As Director of Communications, my role is predominantly about the message of the charity.

 

This involves raising awareness of the Air Ambulance through the media, pan regional initiatives and brand management.

 

The last three years have been busy, exciting and, at times, challenging. However, I am privileged to have been a part of the charity’s success, and count myself very lucky to have the opportunity to contribute to what is a very worthwhile and valuable service.

Beverley Thorne, Head of Charity Services  

I moved to Kent from London just over 7 years ago bringing with me various experiences, mainly in advertising and telecommunications.

 

Apart from assisting David, I am finding my new role as Head of Charity Services, very exciting. The next few months are going to be extremely challenging for me, as this is going to involve implementing new working procedures and an organizational plan for the year.

 

Out of work, my passion for riding takes up most of my spare time, and for those of you who own horses, you know that there isn’t a lot of time for anything else.

Ian Bennett, Finance Manager  

As a relatively new member of the team, I am very much enjoying my new career in charity heading up the finance function. It is my direct task to produce budgets, monthly management accounts and the Annual Report for both the Trust and its trading subsidiary. I am also part of the Management Team which assists the Chief Executive in taking the organisation forward.


Having lived in the county all my life I consider it a great honour to work for such a well loved Kentish charity.

Lynne Mitchell, Lottery & Merchandising Manager  

I joined the Trust in July 2004, as a part time Lottery Assistant. I’ve worked my way up through the ranks, and now manage our regular lottery and our Superdraw. The lotteries are a great source of income to the Charity, as are the Summer Draw raffles, for which I am also responsible.

 

I also oversee the merchandising side of our business.  This includes, ordering stock, maintaining stock levels and ensuring that our volunteers, when representing the charity at talks and events, have enough goods to sell to our supporters.

 

I love working for the Air Ambulance.  It’s a vital, life saving cause, and I am proud to be part of such a fantastic team.

Lynn Hyder, Kent County Fundraiser  

I was thrilled to be appointed as the Kent County Fundraiser for such a worthwhile local charity in March 2007. My role involves working on both community and corporate fundraising initiatives to raise funds and awareness for the charity.


My past work experience is varied however I am predominantly from an insurance broking background. My charitable work started three years ago during which time I organised numerous events and raised over £50,000.


I feel extremely privileged to work alongside such a professional and dedicated team of people!

Larry Culver, Facilities Manager  

I joined the team at Dunsfold in May 2007 and am responsible for the smooth running of our helicopter base. I also assist our Surrey and Sussex Fundraisers giving presentations to various local organisations to raise funds and awareness for the charity.

 

Prior to my work with the Air Ambulance I was a Traffic Sergeant with Sussex Police. As an operational officer dealing with serious road traffic collisions I worked closely with the Ambulance services. As an advanced motorcyclist I have a keen interest in road safety.

 

I feel privileged to work for the Air Ambulance and alongside such a professional and dedicated team of people




Shirley Brown, Part Time Collection Box Coordinator  

I have worked for the Air Ambulance Trust since February 2007, as a part time receptionist in the afternoons.


My duties include answering the telephone, franking post, ordering our stationary, writing thank-you letters and generating certificates along with assisting the fundraising team.


I am also responsible for our vast number of collection boxes which are allocated all over Kent. Accurately recording their locations and ensuring they have been placed with the correct paperwork this involves communicating closely with our volunteers. We now have approximately 3,000 boxes placed throughout the county.

Mark Clayton, Data Program Administrator  

My role as Data Program Administrator is to maintain and update our ever expanding supporter database program; this includes data cleansing, processing Gift Aid entitlement, Payroll Giving and regular giving donations via standing orders.


I also administer the donations from the sponsorship website, Just Giving. I am also becoming increasingly involved in the IT work and am finding this very interesting.

It is a humbling sight every time I see G-Kaat take off from our Marden base and it reminds me what a fantastic life saving operation Kent has in the Air Ambulance team.

I am honoured and proud to be able to play a small part in the team that supports this service.

Caroline Cooper, Events & Volunteer Team  

I joined the Air Ambulance in August 2007 working alongside Veronica Wiseman as part of the Events Team.


My main responsibilities are arranging for our Representatives to visit different organisations in regard to cheque presentations and talks about the work of the Air Ambulance. I also give assistance to groups and individuals who wish to fundraise for our charity either by holding an event or sponsored activity.

My role also includes the day to day management of our volunteers which includes making sure they have support in attending events on our behalf.

Nicci Chrisp, Media & Website Coordinator  
I joined the Air Ambulance in June 2008. My role involves liaising with the local press and media, informing the public of our regional news and events, and managing all the content on our three charity websites.

I also assist our Director of Communications, which can involve a range of tasks from promoting fundraising initiatives, events and marketing to liaising with our generous community and corporate donors.
Helping to raise awareness for our Air Ambulances is essential on both a local and national level. I am so happy to be a part of this life saving charity.
Jackie Dyson, Finance Assistant  

I joined the Kent Air Ambulance Trust in January 2007, what a perfect start to the year. To be part of the Air Ambulance Trust is a very honourable position.


My role is in Finance – assistant to Ian Bennett. My primary tasks are all bookkeeping duties which include the purchase ledger, banking and reconciling all the donations received.


These may range from postal donations and collection boxes to monies raised at charity and promotional events.


Outside of the office, my whole time is taken up competing in dressage events with my home bred horse and walking my dogs.

Jackie Homden, Part Time Administrator  


I have worked for the Air Ambulance for 6 years and have had a variety of roles since joining the Charity. 


My present position is as Part-time Lottery Administrator. I assist the Lottery Manager, dealing with everyday queries from existing and prospective members.


Simon Kelly, Public Relations Officer  

Early in 2007 I was involved in a very serious traffic accident that resulted in me needing the help of the Kent Air Ambulance. Afterwards I was happy to talk to the media about the valuable work the Air Ambulance crew's undertake on a daily basis. It was on the back of one of these that I was asked to join the team some 8 months later as a Public Relations Officer.

 

One of my duties is to talk to people who have been in need of the Air Ambulance to talk about their experiences, with the idea of putting their story on our website to further emphasise the work that the Air Ambulance does on a daily basis.

 

Because of my personal experience, I am honoured to help in any way I can to ensure this wonderful life saving service remains operational.

 

Veronica Wiseman, Assistant to the Head of Charity Services  

I joined the Trust firstly as a Volunteer in 1998 attending events, cheque presentations and maintaining collection boxes; a role which I thoroughly enjoyed. In 2005, I was employed as the Events and Volunteer Coordinator. After a fantastic 2½ years with the Events Team, I had a great opportunity to step into the role of Trusts Fundraiser.

 

My responsibility is to research sources and produce high quality written proposals to grant making trusts. It is very exciting to develop new regular donors and maintain their support and interest towards the air ambulance service.  In 2008 whilst still working with grants, I was promoted to Assistant Head of Charity Services, helping to maintain the smooth running of the charity with special reference to how we look after our donors. 

 

In the 10 years I have been associated with the Kent Air Ambulance, I have met so many wonderful and supportive members of the public, and I feel proud to work with such a dedicated team at the Trust.

 

Stephen Johns, Fundraising Support Officer  

I started working for the Air Ambulance in 2004 as the Lottery Canvasser. I was then promoted to Lottery Administrator so I worked alongside Lynne, overseeing the day to day running of the Lottery. Then I left in June 2007 to work for a major Charity in East Kent.


In May 2008 I was honoured to be asked to return to the Air Ambulance family where I am now Fund Raising Support Officer working alongside Veronica and Caroline. I am the first point of contact for anyone who wants to hold an event to raise funds for us and I am responsible for sourcing volunteers to attend these events.


Working for a much respected Charity and with a great team is a privilege.


Becky Pavey, Part Time Morning Receptionist  

I joined the Trust in February 2007 as a part time receptionist. My role involves welcoming all the charity’s visitors to the base.


I am also responsible for updating the database with general donations and the ‘In Memoriam’ donations that the charity receives, however the main focus of my role is writing our thank you letters to our kind and generous donors. I live locally and really enjoy working for this local charitable organisation.

Debbie Presland, Part Time Afternoon Receptionist  

I joined the Air Ambulance Trust in June 2008, as a part time receptionist for the afternoons.


My duties include answering the telephone, welcoming guests, franking post, ordering stationary, writing thank-you letters and generating certificates along with assisting the fundraising team.


The Air Ambulance is a vital life saving cause, and I am proud to be part of such a fantastic team.

Dave New, Warehouse and Maintenance  
I joined the Air Ambulance in June 2008. I am an ex-apprentice served engineer and I'm into D.I.Y. and making "things"!

I spent 24 eventful years working at Gatwick Airport, in warehousing and around planes, so I am no stranger to the rules and regulations here at the Air Ambulance base.

I have been made to feel very welcome since starting here, and I can't imagine a nicer bunch of people to work with.

Kent Air Ambulance Registered Charity Number 1021367
Call us on 01622 833 833

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