Success for locals at St. John Ambulance competitions
by STACEY HEANEY
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| Jennifer McKendrick from the Lisburn Q Division of St. John Ambulance collects the Neill Cup on behalf of the division for the Cadet Proficiency Scheme from special guest Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for County Down Colonel William Hall at the recent trophy presentation at the St. John Ambulance Annual First Aid and Care Competitions. | District Commissioner Mr Len Murray from Lisburn (centre) and District Medical Officer Doctor Mark Taylor (right) chat to special guest Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for County Down Colonel William Hall during the St. John Ambulance Annual First Aid and Care Competitions that took place in charity's headquarters Knockbracken Health Care Park. |
THERE was success for members of the Lisburn Q Division of St. John Ambulance as they won the Neill Cup during the recent Annual First Aid and Care Competitions, which took place in Knockbracken Health Care Park.
The annual competition, which allows St. John Ambulance to celebrate the expertise of its volunteers, saw the Lisburn Q Division triumph in the Cadet Proficiency Scheme.
Over 300 volunteers took part in the District Final of a round of competitions held by St. John Ambulance that are designed to celebrate the expertise of St. John Ambulance members and demonstrate the high standard of first aid and care delivered to local communities by the well known charity.
Volunteers took part in adult competitions whilst the younger members of St. John Ambulance Cadets and Badgers had their own respective challenges. The winners of these competitions will go forward to compete in the National Finals in London in July. Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for County Down Colonel William Hall attended the competitions as a special guest and presented the Awards. Commenting on the outstanding expertise on display Colonel Hall said: "It is wonderful to see St. John Ambulance volunteers take part in these competitions as one can see at first hand the expertise that exists within the organisation." Head of the Order of St. John in Northern Ireland, John McKee who attended the event commented on the day.
"Using first aid skills either individually or within teamwork can mean the difference between life and death so it is invaluable that so many St. John Ambulance volunteers have the knowledge and confidence to make a difference in an emergency," said Mr. McKee.
The YMCA/Ashfield Division , of St. John Ambulance, who won the adult first aid challenge, and the Richmond Badgers, who won the Badgers First Aid Competition, will go to London to represent Northern Ireland in , the National First Aid competitions in July.
stacey.heaney@ulsterstar.co.uk
Ulster Star
24/04/2009
