Truro Cathedral nave was packed for the St John Ambulance celebration service and awards ceremony to honour volunteers from across Cornwall. 

Attended by several hundreds of volunteers, their families and guests, the ceremony began with a procession to the altar of all the Cornish District Standards, borne by cadets and badgers.  

There followed a welcome and introduction from Canon Simon Griffiths, followed by prayers, a reading from St Luke about the Good Samaritan, and inspiring reflections by the chaplain, Canon Jeremy Thorold.  

Distinguished guests included the South West Regional Commissioner for St John Ambulance, Karen Brooks, and the Cornwall president Dr Martin Brooke, as well as the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Col Sir Edward Bolitho, High Sheriff of Cornwall Mr Toby Ashworth, and mayors from across Cornwall. 

Adult St John volunteers, cadets and badgers received medals, cups, shields and certificates.  

The extraordinary commitment made by volunteers in support of their communities was recognised by 50- and 1,000-hour certificates, the latter equating to an average of 20 hours a week, a huge effort when combined with full-time work and family commitments.  

Before and during the service, the Pendeen Sliver Band and the Holman-Climax Male Voice Choir provided lively and uplifting musical entertainment.  

Outside on High Cross, ambulances were stationed for people to learn more about St John, and refreshments were kindly donated by Truro businesses and served to all by Cathedral volunteers. 

St John Ambulance volunteers are vital to deliver the first aid charity’s services to their communities, providing training, support for events and saving lives. 

• To find out more, contact district manager Matt Jobe at [email protected]

Award Recipients:

District Cadet of the Year: Oliver Parsons (St Ives)                        

Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet of Year: Georgina Corcoran (Liskeard)                                 

Grand Prior Award: Tyler Ray (Liskeard)                                  

Super Badger Award: Isabella Blewitt (St Ives)                        

400 Hours Voluntary Service: Oliver Parsons (St Ives)                                                 

200 Hours Voluntary Service: Rowan Bawden (St Ives)                       

St Austell Unit Cadet of the Year: Connor Emmett                       St Austell Most Promising Cadet: Lill Durham                               Joint St Austell Badgers of the Year: Oliver and Elena Larcome-Wilson             Most Helpful Cadet: Tyler Ray (Liskeard)                                                                          Made up to Sergeant: Tyler Ray (Liskeard)                                                                         Made up to Corporal: Georgina Corcoran (Liskeard)                                  Cadet Unit of the Year: Liskeard   Badger Unit of the Year: St Austell 

 Priory of England and the Islands Service Awards: Raymond Sprague, 55 years’ service; Susan Mudd, 25 years’ service; John Burns-Nield, 15 years’ service; Nicola Ginns, 10 years’ service. 

High Sheriff of Cornwall Award: In recognition of valuable services to the community:  John Burns-Nield, District Event Lead. 

Three years’s service: Anthony McSherry (Torpoint); Laura Calcraft (Truro) and Katy Hope (St Austell).  

1000 hours of voluntary service: Jane Burns-Nield, District New Volunteer Lead; John Burns-Nield, District Event Lead; Simon Eglinton, District Logistics Lead; Margaret Watts, Unit Manager, St Austell.  

500 hours of voluntary service: Wendy Francis, Unit Manager, St Ives;  Simon Ennor, District Manager for Youth in Cornwall and IOS; Nicola Ginns, Unit Manager, Truro; Will Hoar, Regional Communications Lead; Tracey Britton, Member, St Ives.