WITH more than 900 years of history behind it the St John movement know exactly what they are looking for when they hand out honours.

So St John Ambulance volunteer Carolyn Phillips was shocked when she found she had been put forward for the second-highest honour awarded by the movement, Commander Sister.

Regional Commander Carolyn said: 'It was a surprise. I have been with St John for 30 years but I never expected or strived for anything like this, I just wanted to help people.'

The award is not a service award. The St John organisation is split into four parts and the award has been given by the Order of St John.

'The only award higher than

this is the Knight and only a very select few are chosen for that honour.'

Carolyn decided to join the St John Ambulance after witnessing a road accident.

'In 1976 I saw two boys riding a bike, one riding pillion to the other.

'They hit a car and the pillion rider went up over the head of the rider and hit the road.

'I went over to them and called an ambulance but had no idea what to do in terms of First Aid.

'There and then I decided to join the St John Ambulance.'

Since then she has risen through the ranks from attending village fetes and football matches to coordinating St John Ambulance responses for Wrexham.