Over 100 young people honoured at Buckingham Palace reception

124 St John Ambulance volunteers were recognised at this year’s Young Achievers’ Reception at Buckingham Palace on 3 November.

The young members, including Badgers, Cadets and Young Carers, were rewarded with the reception, which acknowledges their hard work and celebrates their achievements.

Each young person was introduced to HRH The Princess Royal, Commandant in Chief (Youth) for St John Ambulance, who welcomed them to the palace and recognised them for their outstanding contributions to the charity.

Lifesaving trio praised for their bravery

Young achievers, Anthony Durrell, Ryan Moore and Joshua Tack from Cornwall were honoured for their quick response after 10-year-old Jacob Girling fell from his scooter, fracturing his skull. The three volunteers raced to the scene and administered essential first aid to Jacob, who was covered in blood with fluid leaking from his skull. The boys’ quick actions were praised as the reason for Jacob’s speedy recovery. The brave young men were pleased to be invited to the Palace to meet HRH The Princess Royal.

Inspirational young people commended

The reception also recognised a number of other outstanding young people, including:

• Leicestershire based Charlie Pett, a 10-year-old Badger who helped a woman after she broke her arm in a fall
• Charlotte Timmis, an 18-year-old member from Greater Manchester who has achieved excellent A-Level results while supporting her family and acting as a carer for her brother who was left in a critical condition after a road traffic accident
• 11-year-old Dylan Keir from Northern Ireland who has demonstrated his bravery and commitment to St John Ambulance over the last four years despite suffering with rare medical condition, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) which causes him severe pain
• A group of Cadets from Essex that participated in a gruelling 24 mile St John Cotswold Challenge and raised over £1500 doing so.

Equipping young people with life saving skills

St John Ambulance believes that every young person should have the opportunity to learn basic life saving skills. Working with young people aged from five to 25, the youth organisation aims to provide a fun and safe environment to learn essential first aid. The Young Achievers’ Reception offers St John Ambulance the opportunity to reward the excellent work of their younger members.

Wendy Human, Head of Youth at St John Ambulance said:

The reception is a great way for us to recognise the commitment and outstanding work of these young people. They have all proven themselves as outstanding individuals and we hope that they are pleased with the opportunity to meet Her Royal Highness and enjoy the surroundings of Buckingham Palace for the day.’