The UK’s Kent Air Ambulance Trust is celebrating what it describes as “an amazing turnaround” in its fortunes. A year ago the charity that supports the resident MD 902 and crew was projecting a deficit of $620,000 (£350,000), on the back of three difficult years that had already seen reserves depleted by almost $1.77 million (£1 million). However, less than a year after his appointment, charity chief executive David Philpott has posted a surplus of $400,000 (£225,000) for the 2003 and 2004 fiscal year.

The money has come from expanded community fundraising through collaborations with print and broadcast media and revenues from a new lottery. Philpott’s team has also built corporate partnerships with companies such as Pfizer, Fiat and Bank of Scotland.