John Ambulance puts volunteers to the test

More than 100 volunteers took part in the District final of a round of competitions held by St. John Ambulance that are designed to test and therefore showcase the expertise of members. The event demonstrates the high standard of first aid and care delivered to local communities by the well known charity.

Volunteers took part in adult competitions whilst the younger members of St. John Ambulance Cadets and Badgers had their own respective challenges.

Keen rivalry was generated between volunteers as they competed for prestigious silver cups presented originally by eminent medical practitioners from Northern Ireland such as the late Sir Ian Frazer FRCS. The winners of these competitions will go forward to compete in the St. John National Finals in London in July.

Chairman of St John Ambulance (NI) Dr Wilson Clarke, attended the competitions as a special guest and presented the Awards. Commenting on the outstanding talent and expertise on display, Dr Clarke said.

"It is wonderful to see St. John Ambulance volunteers take part in these competitions as one can see at first hand the expertise that exists within the organisation," said Dr. Clarke.

"These competitions are held to put our volunteers to the test and therefore enhance their skills, which can only serve to ensure that our communities have access to first aid when needed.

"Using first aid skills either individually or within teamwork can mean the difference between life and death so it is of huge benefit that so many St. John Ambulance volunteers have the knowledge and confidence to make a difference in an emergency," he concluded.

The YMCA/Ashfield Division, won the adult first aid challenge, the Richmond Badgers, won the Badgers First Aid Competition, the Ballymoney C Cadet Division collected the District Surgeon's Cup for Cadet First Aid and the Belmont Division received the Road Safety Trophy for the Ambulance Challenge. These winners will now go on to London to represent Northern Ireland in the National First Aid competitions in July.

St. John Ambulance has been caring for life in Northern Ireland since 1881. Every year the charity carries out commercial activities to fund its charitable work including First Aid Training. Each year St. John Ambulance trains over 10,000 people in first aid and health and safety related training courses for the workplace.

St. John Ambulance Northern Ireland has 750 adult volunteers who delivered a total of 45,000 hours of service in 2009 alone. The charity embraces all sections of the community and through its youth, section offers a wide range of activities to over 1000 young people under the age of 25. For more information on St. John Ambulance services visit www.ni.sja.org.uk or call 028 90 799 393.