I'm flying a dawn to dusk flight with my buddy Rob in aid of KSS - the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our good friend Iain Stingemore at Mid-Kent Aviation who is providing the aircraft, we’ll be taking a lightweight Ikarus C-42 aircraft across eight counties in search of the planes flown by Britain’s most famous fictional aviator, Biggles.

In case you don't know, Biggles’ adventures in the air – which ranged from air combat in both world wars, to fighting international crime, to searching for lost treasure - dominated the bookshelves of young people across Britain for over thirty years, inspiring many to take up careers in aviation. He was the Indiana Jones of his generation.

We want to tell the stories of some of Biggles’ favourite aircraft. We're attempting a round Britain flight spanning eight counties, visiting eight aircraft museums - in just one day.

Biggles flew everything from the Sopwith Camel WW1 fighter to the Hawker Hunter jet. We plan to go on a Great Plane Hunt to tell their amazing stories. That means visiting some incredible aircraft displays in places like the Shuttleworth Collection in Old Warden, the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, the RAF Museum at Cosford, and the Fleet Air Arm Museum near Yeovilton.

Biggles often side-slipped into a tiny field, or dodged shell holes coming into no-man’s land to rescue a wounded comrade. KSS Air Ambulance crews often land in tight spots to get aid to someone in need. Their helicopters are flying emergency rooms. When there’s a life-or-death call, they bring specialised doctors, paramedics, and treatment to the scene, fast. And they don’t stop 24/7, 365 days a year.

But without the support of people like you and me, they can’t get off the ground. Our support gets their lifesaving team to where they’re urgently needed.

Without us, they can’t keep flying. Without us, they can’t save lives.