National Cadet of the Year is announced
16 year-old Jemma Samuel
from Buckinghamshire has been named St John Ambulance
National Cadet of the Year 2012.
Tough competition
Jemma competed against 42 other cadets during the
selection event, set at PGL Adventure’s activity centre in
Swindon between 27-29 January, to win the esteemed title.
In her role as National Cadet of the Year,
Jemma will act as an ambassador for the
organisation by demonstrating how first aid can be the
difference between a life lost and a life saved, in
addition to being an inspirational leader to St
John Ambulance’s young members.
Jemma will also help to demonstrate to her peers that even at a
young age they can learn valuable life and leadership
skills. As such, she will have the opportunity to
represent the organisation at a range of events including
charity balls, award ceremonies and competitions and will undertake
her duty to represent the organisation at a reception at Buckingham
Palace where Cadets will meet HRH The Princess
Royal who is Commandant in Chief (Youth)
for St John Ambulance.
Setting the standard
During the annual selection weekend, cadets were
assessed on their life saving first aid skills, teamwork,
initiative under pressure, organisation, presentation skills and
leadership, which resulted in the appointment of one
National Cadet of the Year and two deputies.
‘It was a privilege to represent my county at
the Cadet of the Year weekend,’ said Jemma who attends The
Misbourne School at Great Missenden where she is studying French,
Law and Public Services as she hopes to become a Police
Officer.
She continued: ‘Apart from having a number of friends in St John
Ambulance the best thing about being a member is knowing
you can save someone’s life by just knowing a few key
skills. And the more people who know these skills, the
less likely someone is to die.
Being a member of St John Ambulance has enabled me to
develop many skills and to take part in events
with other young people, which is a brilliant way of making
friends, as well as helping those in need. I have already
put my first aid to good use and helped a friend who hurt herself
when she fell down the stairs.’
Newly appointed Deputy Cadets of the Year
Jennie Hunt from London District and Ed
O’Brien from Lancashire also impressed assessors during
the event and were selected to support Jemma in her role.
St John Ambulance has over 19,000 young members
and believes that young people should have the
opportunity to learn first aid at a young age so that
they’re equipped to act quickly in an emergency
and be the difference within their community.
Recognising excellence
Wendy Human, Head of Youth at St John
Ambulance, said: ‘First aid is an important skill for
people of all ages to learn. Young people, like Jemma, are
great advocates of this message. St John Ambulance
also provides young people with tremendous opportunities to
develop a wide range of knowledge and skills in other
areas and to be part of their local
community.
Jemma demonstrated tremendous dedication and
enthusiasm over the course of the selection weekend and
we are delighted that she is representing young people who
learn first aid, throughout the country.’