Awards for St John Ambulance heroes

Dec 31 2009 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

ST JOHN Ambulance staff have been awarded for their selfless work.

A range of awards and certificates were presented at a Christmas ceremony in Crewe.

The ceremony began with a carol service and was followed by Dr Don Fitzroy-Smith, commander of St John Ambulance in Cheshire and Mrs Barbara Smith, Dame of the Order of St John presenting a number of awards and certificates in the church hall.

Elizabeth Stout, from Chester, received a certificate in recognition of her appointment as the principal youth officer for St John Ambulance in Cheshire.

St John Ambulance, in addition to being the nation’s leading first aid charity, is one of the country’s leading youth organisations with more than half of its members aged under 25.

Through its Youth Programme it provides opportunities for young people from five to 25 years to have fun and adventure and gain important life and vocational skills; they can also work towards gaining awards, which will help them stand out. Five to 10 year olds can become a St John Ambulance Badger and those between 10-18 years can become a Cadet. Elizabeth now manages the Youth Programme in Cheshire.

St John members Ruth Tickle and Phil Tickle from the Chester Combined Cadet Division received their ‘Essential skills in youth work’ certificates which will help them to continue to do their invaluable work for St John Ambulance.