Incredible efforts of volunteers are honoured at aid awards ceremony

Front Row, left to right: Izzy Saunders, Cadet of the Year for West Sussex, Carl Bennett, winner of District Managers Award, Lauren Robinson, Lord Lieutenants Cadet for East Sussex, Jessica Redgrave, Badger of the Year.
Back Row, left to right: Caroline Lucas County President St John Ambulance Sussex, Peter Field - Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Dr James Walsh The Hospitaller, The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John, Caroline Nicholls High Sheriff of West Sussex, Denise Patterson Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex, John Wright long-serving St John Ambulance volunteer, Dan May-Jones Chairman CPG, John Moore-Bick High Sheriff of East Sussex, Trevor Moss District Manager, South District, Martin Houghton-Brown Chief Executive St John Ambulance and The Priory of England and the Islands, Mark Farmer Director of First Aid Operations St John Ambulance, Alex Ingham-Clark County Vice President West Sussex, Unal Salih Volunteer at Chichester Unit, Vanessa Gebbie County Vice President East Sussex — Front Row, left to right: Izzy Saunders, Cadet of the Year for West Sussex, Carl Bennett, winner of District Managers Award, Lauren Robinson, Lord Lieutenants Cadet for East Sussex, Jessica Redgrave, Badger of the Year. Back Row, left to right: Caroline Lucas County President St John Ambulance Sussex, Peter Field - Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Dr James Walsh The Hospitaller, The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John, Caroline Nicholls High Sheriff of West Sussex, Denise Patterson Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex, John Wright long-serving St John Ambulance volunteer, Dan May-Jones Chairman CPG, John Moore-Bick High Sheriff of East Sussex, Trevor Moss District Manager, South District, Martin Houghton-Brown Chief Executive St John Ambulance and The Priory of England and the Islands, Mark Farmer Director of First Aid Operations St John Ambulance, Alex Ingham-Clark County Vice President West Sussex, Unal Salih Volunteer at Chichester Unit, Vanessa Gebbie County Vice President East Sussex

On June 18, the accolades were presented by Peter Field, the Lord-Lieutenant for East Sussex, Denise Patterson DL, representing the Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, Major General J D Moore-Bick CBE DL, the high sheriff of East Sussex and Mrs Caroline Nicholls DL, the high sheriff of West Sussex.

The evening, held at Plumpton College, was attended by the CEO of St John Ambulance, Martin Houghton-Brown, the director of first aid services, Mark Farmer and more.

With over five decades of volunteering with St John Ambulance Ray Oliver, from the Chichester unit, received the prestigious laurel leaf award, only presented to the few volunteers who have served for 52 years.

Ray Oliver with the St John Ambulance Chichester volunteers

Caroline Lucas, Sussex county president, said: “Our St John Ambulance volunteers are a truly remarkable group of people.

“Our annual awards ceremony goes at least some way towards showing our appreciation.”

Southwick volunteer Carl Bennett also received a district manager’s award for his fundraising efforts.

Carl also provides free first aid demonstrations like CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

Ray Oliver receives the laurel leaf award

He does many other fundraising activities including running the Brighton Marathon 10K.

St John Ambulance thanks Plumpton College for holding the awards in their marquee and providing food.

For more visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.