Maidenhead volunteer receives prestigious honour

Maidenhead resident Graham Hattey has been recognised for community service with St John Ambulance Berkshire by being invested as a member of the Order of St John at a special ceremony held in the historic Priory Church in Clerkenwell, London

Exceptional service

The honour of becoming a member of the Order is granted to those who have shown exceptional service to its key foundations – one of which is St John Ambulance, the nation's leading first aid organisation. The Order of St John is a Royal Order of Chivalry and each recipient is approved by Her Majesty the Queen, its Sovereign Head.

Graham who works full time as a Section Manager for John Lewis in Kingston has been a volunteer with St John Ambulance for 30 years after joining as a Cadet at the age of ten and was admitted to the Order as a Serving Brother. He was presented with the Order's insignia by the Prior of the Priory of England and the Islands, Sir Brian Jenkins.

St John Ambulance plays a very important part in Graham's life and volunteering with the charity runs in the Hattey family. Graham's Great Grandfather was Superintendent of the Windsor Division which led Graham's Father to join subsequently meeting his Mother who was also a member. Graham and his brother Michael became Cadets once they were old enough and in keeping with family tradition both met their wives Fiona and Gill through St John Ambulance. Graham's nephews have already joined the Maidenhead Badger group for five to ten year olds and Graham hopes that his own son William will also join next year. The responsibility of running the adult section of the Maidenhead division has also been shouldered by the family for many years and has been passed from Graham's Father John, also a Serving Brother, to him and now lies with Michael.

Graham's role in the organisation these days involves organising the charity's annual Holiday for the Disabled where volunteers take a group of disabled adults on a week long activity holiday to provide respite for the families who care for them. Graham and his team of volunteers are responsible for fundraising the £12,000 required each year to run the holiday and also planning activities for the week and providing around the clock care for the disabled people who take part. Previously he has attended many public events as a first aider including the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the Windsor Half Marathon where he needed to drive an ambulance on blue lights along the Long Walk through Windsor Great Park to get a casualty to hospital. He has trained with the NHS Ambulance Service and continues to be a first aider in his place of work.

Asked about the highlights of his time with St John Ambulance, Graham cites meeting the Queen whilst dressed as the charity's mascot Bertie Badger as one of his memorable moments. 'I was helping at Bisham Abbey where the Queen was attending and meeting youth organisations from across Berkshire. I had gone as Bertie Badger and when the Queen approached the St John Ambulance stand she spoke to, of all people me, who was dressed as a six foot badger at the time! I will never forget her asking me 'is it hot in there?' which of course it was.'

Speaking of his award Graham said, 'It is something I am very proud of. It means a huge amount to me to be recognised in such a way. St John Ambulance has played a big part in my life and to receive such an honour is a real highlight.'