LOCAL volunteer for St John Ambulance, Jess Ball, has been inspired by others to run in the London Marathon 2018 after volunteering first aid for the past five years.
When the Frome Times spoke to Jess she said, “I have been a volunteer First Aider with SJA (St John Ambulance) for over five years now, attending public events such as Frome Cheese Show, Frome Carnival and Corsley Show, as well as many other local and national events.
“The organisation has taught me vital life-saving skills, as well as giving me loads of confidence. There have been countless times when I have been able to use the skills learnt to help save people out on the street.
“I came across a young lady having a seizure in the Welshmill area of Frome. Her friends were very distressed and I managed to use my training and experience to calm them down and reassure them that everything would be ok. I called an ambulance for the young lady, while constantly reassuring her and her friends.
“Frome SJA unit has allowed me to make friends with like-minded people of all backgrounds and to get to know the Frome community.
“That’s why I have chosen to run the London Marathon and also the Bath Half Marathon in aid of SJA and would like to raise a total of £2,000. I have set up my justgiving page and have been regularly updating it with news of training and events I’m involved in.
“I plan to step up my fundraising from January by running cake sales and organising street collections both in Frome and Exeter, where I am currently studying for my maths degree. I am also working with the internal communications team at SJA to promote my fundraising efforts to other SJA staff and volunteers.
“I’ve never run a marathon before, but I have run two half marathons – Bath Half 2016 and Great West Run 2016. I really enjoyed taking part in these, so feel it’s time for the next challenge. I am very excited but also super-nervous about the big day since i’ve never run this distance before.
“Having provided first aid cover for the London and Brighton marathons for the last five years, I have seen the amazing people that have run for the charity before and feel inspired to give it a go myself and to give back to the charity that has taught me so much.”
To follow Jess’ journey and to donate to her cause, visit her justgiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jess-marathon
