Volunteers receive prestigious honour
Erica Hodges, County Badger Leader and
Margaret Dougall, Loddon Valley member and course casualty
(pictured left) were invested as members of the Order of St
John at a special ceremony held in the
historic Grand Priory Church, Clerkenwell, London in
December.
Exceptional service
The honour of becoming a member of the Order of St John is
granted to those who have shown excpetional service to the
charity of St John Ambulance, which is a foundation of the
order.
Margaret and Erica have made outstanding contributions to St John Ambulance and to volunteering in Berkshire. I am very proud to be able to invest them into the Order of St John
Sir Brian Jenkins
Prior of the Priory of England and the Islands
Mrs Hodges has been a St John volunteer for 22 years and was
admitted as a Serving Sister. Erica is St John
Berkshire's County Badger Leader which involves overseeing all of
the members aged between five and 10 years old as well as
their adult leaders.
Mrs Dougall joined St John 31 years ago and was also admitted as
a Serving Sister. Margaret helps to run the Loddon
Valley Cadet division for 10-18 year olds and is treasurer of the
St John Fellowship for retired members. She also regularly attends
the Madjeski Stadium and volunteers as a casualty on commercial
courses.
The investiture ceremony takes place
four times a year. Around 100
people of all nationalities and walks of life will be
invested. Many St John Ambulance volunteers will be honoured, along
with members of the emergency services who have made
outstanding contributions to the organisation.