Paul Reynolds has a very personal reason for being a trustee of Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS).

Paul, from Plaistow near Billingshurst, nearly lost his arm in November 2022 following a serious accident involving a piece of farm machinery.

A team from KSS was dispatched to care for him, along with colleagues from South East Coast Ambulance Service and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

Paul was taken by road to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and, after undergoing 11 operations, has made a remarkable recovery.

Paul Reynolds (left) with Dr Rob Greenhalgh, who was part of the team from KSS that cared for Paul. Picture courtesy of KSS

placeholder image — Paul Reynolds (left) with Dr Rob Greenhalgh, who was part of the team from KSS that cared for Paul. Picture courtesy of KSS

He is now back at work, enjoying life with his family and giving back to the charity that helped him through one of the most challenging experiences of his life.

Following his recovery, Paul became a trustee of KSS, using his skills and experience to help guide the future of the charity.

His family have also become dedicated supporters of KSS. His daughter Izzy has twice run the London Marathon to raise vital funds for the charity, which relies largely on public support to fund its lifesaving service.

He is sharing his story during Trustees Week (November 9 to 13), an annual opportunity to recognise the dedication, expertise and commitment of trustees across the country to encourage other people to think about becoming a charity trustee.

Paul said: “My accident happened in an instant, but its impact on me and my family was life-changing.

“The care I received from KSS and the wider emergency services team that day was exceptional, and I will always be grateful for the role they played in my recovery.

“Becoming a trustee has given me an opportunity to give something back to a charity that means so much to me.

“It's a privilege to use my experience and skills to help ensure KSS can continue to be there for people and families when they need it most.”

During Trustees Week, KSS is joining charities across the UK in acknowledging the vital role played by trustees in ensuring the charities they help can continue to make a difference.

Holly Riley, head of policy at the Charity Commission said: “Paul's story is incredible. His decision to give back to the charity that saved his life is in turn helping Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex save more lives.

“Trustees Week is all about celebrating people like Paul who give up their time to help others.

“There are nearly one million trustees in the UK offering their time, skills and support to good causes we all care about; but we know from our research that charities, particularly smaller ones, can struggle to recruit trustees.

“Maybe there's a cause – close to your heart or home – in need of a trustee. What better time than Trustees Week to look into the opportunities near you?”

Trustees are volunteers who provide leadership and governance for charities, helping organisations such as KSS navigate challenges, seize opportunities and remain focused on their purpose.

Across the UK, hundreds of thousands of trustees generously give their time and skills to support causes they care deeply about.

KSS are proud to be guided by a board of dedicated trustees whose expertise, insight and oversight help ensure they can continue delivering their world-leading emergency medical service across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Together, KSS’s trustees bring a diverse range of professional experience spanning healthcare, finance, governance, communications, fundraising and business leadership.

They play a crucial role in setting the strategic direction of the charity, overseeing KSS’s governance and ensuring every pound donated is used effectively to maximise public benefit.

Their leadership helps ensure KSS remains a trusted, ethical and forward-thinking charity, able to innovate, grow and be there for people across the region when they need KSS most.