Somerset volunteer receives prestigious honour 

Local resident John Roberts from East Lambrook has been recognised for his contribution towards first aid with St John Ambulance by being invested into the Order of St John. The honour was bestowed at a special ceremony on 14 April at the Order's historic 12th century Priory Church in London's Clerkenwell.

Exceptional service required

People can only become members of the Order of St John if they have shown exceptional service to its key foundations – one of which is St John Ambulance, the nation's leading first aid charity. The Order of St John is a Royal Order of Chivalry and each recipient is approved by Her Majesty the Queen, its Sovereign Head.

Up to 150,000 people die each year in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live. St John Ambulance believes no one should die because they needed first aid and didn't get it. The work of volunteers such as John is crucial in being the difference between lives lost and lives saved.

For the benefit of all

Roberts was elected Chairman of Council for St John Somerset, which ensures the charity's mission is delivered throughout the county, in 2009 and was presented with the Order's insignia by Rodney Green, the Prior of the Priory of England and the Islands, who was appointed in the prestigious position of Prior only this month. The Prior is the Chairman of the Priory of England and The Islands (part of the Order of St John).

'As County Chairman I am supposed to be responsible for the effective performance of St John Ambulance in the county,' said Roberts. 'What I believe this means in practice is ensuring that the excellent team of staff and volunteers we have in Somerset all work together for the benefit of everybody. Whilst I am deeply honoured at being invested as a member of the Order of St John I do not believe I have yet done the sorts of things that would merit me receiving it were I not the Chairman. The privilege of being invested is really something that comes with the post. However, I shall do what I can to deserve it over the coming months and years.'

The Prior, Rodney Green was delighted to invest Roberts into the Order of St John.

'He is honoured in recognition of his dedicated service to St John Ambulance, which is committed to making sure no one dies through a lack of first aid training. As one of the charity's 40,000 volunteers, his work is integral to its work in communities across the country,' he said.

Thrice-yearly ceremony

The investiture ceremony takes place three times a year. Around a hundred people from communities across the country are invested on each occasion, the majority of whom are St John Ambulance volunteers.

For further information please email Christian Hughes St John Ambulance Somerset.