Reading teenager is new Berkshire Cadet of the Year 

A 16-year-old St John Ambulance Cadet from Lower Earley has been chosen as Berkshire’s Cadet of the Year.

Encouraging young people to learn first aid

Sasha Sadheura will represent her fellow Cadets at events throughout the county during 2012 and will also be flying the Berkshire flag at prestigious national events such as the Remembrance Day parade in London.

One of her key tasks will be to encourage more young people to learn first aid and be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

As well as actively providing first aid at many events across Berkshire, Sasha has been working towards her Grand Prior award – the highest accolade a St John Ambulance Cadet can achieve.

She has already achieved her Gold Award, having completed 20 of the 24 subjects needed to earn the Grand Prior award.

‘I feel so proud and honoured to have been chosen as County Cadet of the Year,’ she said. ‘Not because of the title itself but because it’s such a privilege to be the voice of other Cadets in the county.

‘I’d recommend membership of St John Ambulance because I think it’s the best way to develop skills that are not only useful in first aid situations but are also invaluable in everyday life.’

Putting first aid skills into practice

Sasha, a student at Kendrick School, has been a St John volunteer member for more than five years and has put her first aid skills into practice on many occasions.

Thanks to her first aid training she knew exactly what to do when her seven-year-old cousin burnt her fingers. She reassured her panicking cousin and provided the correct treatment of running her fingers under cold water for 10 minutes.

And when a fellow pupil started choking on the end of her pen during class, Sasha took charge of the situation.

She explained: ‘The teacher asked if anyone knew first aid and I quickly offered my help. I had to comfort her as she was very distressed and I told her to keep coughing. Then I performed back slaps.

‘While I was helping my classmate I told another pupil what to say on the phone to the ambulance service. Luckily the ambulance came very quickly and took her to hospital. She’s now back to her usual cheery self and she thanked me for helping her in a pretty stressful situation.’

Michelle Wernham, Acting Head of Youth for Berkshire St John Ambulance, said: ‘Sasha is a shining example of a dedicated volunteer who truly believes in the difference that first aid can make to saving someone’s life.

‘She’s a great advocate for St John Ambulance and is exactly the kind of person we are looking for to lead our Cadets in the county. I am sure she will have a fantastic year and really make the most of all the opportunities it offers her.’

The weekend will be sponsored by PGL, the leading provider of school trips and children’s activity holidays.