Volunteers at the Palace
Joyce Shorley and Helena Chapman from
Market Harborough St John Ambulance were proud to represent their
unit and county at a recent reception at the House of
Lords. The reception was held to show appreciation for St
John Ambulance volunteers who assisted the ambulance service during
the adverse weather conditions in winter 2009/2010.
The extra mile
Volunteers from all over the country were
present; each one having gone the extra mile. This included
ferrying nurses to patients in their own homes, and transporting
patients to and from hospital for important appointments such as
chemotherapy treatments.
Going where others can’t
Joyce and I both felt privileged to have been there and to have met so many people who all did their best to help others
Helena Chapman
St John Ambulance volunteer
Joyce and Helena were
able to reach a two year old girl who was cut off by snow in
the depths of north east Leicestershire. The police had
closed roads and told the local NHS ambulance
service there was no way an ordinary ambulance could get to
this child.
They were about to put one of the county's 4x4
ambulances back in the garage when they received a call
requesting they make one more attempt to reach her.
Although it was approaching midnight, and they knew once they went
off the main road the going would be treacherous with sheet ice and
thick snow, they agreed.
Their perseverance paid off and they managed
to get into the village where the little girl lived and back out
onto the main roads again. They safely got her to A&E
where she was able to receive the treatment she desperately needed
for uncontrolled diabetes.
The Palace
At the Palace of Westminster the volunteers
were given a guided tour of the houses of parliament.
This included standing in the places that many of our famous
politicians have stood in the past. They then convened in the
Cholomondy (pronounced Chumley) suite for a reception hosted by
Baroness Emerton. Speeches were given by Mr Jenkins, Prior of
St John Ambulance, Mr Chatterton, Chief Commander and The Head of
the Ambulance Service, and volunteers were thanked for their
support during the adverse weather conditions.
Afternoon tea followed and presentations of
certificates and official photographs. Said Helena:
‘Joyce and I both felt privileged to have been
there and to have met so many people who all did their best to help
others.
‘We would like to thank those who nominated us
to attend this reception on behalf of Leicestershire and
Rutland.’
Do you think you could volunteer with us like
Helena and Joyce did? Why not contact us or visit our volunteering pages to
find out more.