First aid saves lives
St John people make a positive impact every day, responding to emergencies, supporting communities and saving lives. Read our amazing stories from patients and volunteers.
Gary: Everyone should know basic CPR – it saves lives
When Gary found his 21-year-old daughter unresponsive, he used his CPR skills to save her life.
Mark: I thought I'd lost him
Mark had just had his three-day refresher course when his colleague, Paul, collapsed at work
Dylan: Without St John, my mum wouldn’t be here anymore
Dylan, 15, saved his mum’s life when she suddenly collapsed at home.
Shaun: I've always loved helping people
Shaun used his mental health first aid skills to support a colleague who was struggling after the abrupt end of a long-term relationship.
Yasmin: Talking to me was an outlet for his feelings
Recruiter Yasmin supported a candidate struggling with his son-in-law's terminal illness.
Jude: Thank goodness for the training I received
Jude's first aid knowledge was vital when she found a colleague having a seizure.
Eve: I could have died that night
When Eve was 19, she was spiked. She couldn't see or move, and knew she needed help fast.
Kate: It was like an out of body experience
Kate, a second-year medical student, was enjoying a night out celebrating a friend’s birthday when her drink was spiked, leaving her unable to move or think clearly.
Prince: I desperately wanted to save Mr Archer
It was half-time during the Chelsea match when Prince heard people yelling for a medic. He found Paul collapsed in his seat and gasping for air.
Danny: Our intervention saved her life
Danny was holding the door open for his colleague when she turned grey and collapsed in front of him. She was unresponsive and struggling to breathe.
Beth: I cannot imagine how terrible it would be if I hadn't been there
Beth was in the middle of dinner with her sister when her 3-year-old nephew suddenly looked panicked and started flapping his arms. That's when she realised he was choking.
Gwen: I was able to do something and not just freeze
Gwen and her husband, John, were enjoying a quiet evening together when she realised something wasn’t right.
Peter: I saved a life because I knew first aid
Peter was out for drinks with his wife when he saw a man lying unconscious, in a pool of his own blood.
Richard: Thank God they were there
When Iceland boss, Richard Walker, collapsed from heatstroke at the London Marathon, our volunteers were on standby to save his life.
Charlie: Why I volunteer as a Youth Leader
Charlie, now a District Youth Officer and Student Paramedic, tells us about how his time with St John has helped him in his career.
Ask me why I'm running for St John
“It was such a powerful moment for me, seeing my first aid training actually working in practice.”
Zehra: Giving back to my community
‘I am an asset to society and am giving back to my community in the best way possible’
Lynne: Ask Me how I saved a life
On her way into Telford city centre for some shopping, Lynne was sitting in a taxi when the van behind her crashed into the wall of the shopping centre.
Jayden: Living my dreams and passions
‘When you join St John you immediately become part of the family. Everyone is so nice and kind, and it's just a really amazing experience.’
Vanessa: CPR lifesaver
‘It was an incredible feeling to know I was responsible for saving someone’s life.’
Ian: The right people at the right time
'I have an undying gratitude to the men and women who gave up their Sunday morning to stand around in October drizzle waiting to save someone's life. My life.'
