Issue 298 – Frome cadet takes a trip to the Palace

Frome St John Ambulance cadet, Lauren Brixey, enjoyed a day out at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 31st March when she represented the charity at a reception hosted by HRH The Princess Royal.
 
Lauren, 16, was the first cadet for 25 years to achieve the Grand Prior award from the Frome Cadets Division. The award is the highest a St John Ambulance cadet can achieve and marks at least three years of sustained effort studying 24 different subjects – from using social media and working in the community, to outdoor pursuits and first aid.
Lauren was one of only two Grand Prior award winners from Somerset who were invited to the event.
The award is the main challenge for St John Ambulance cadets. To achieve the award, cadets are asked to complete a range of topics which interest them, such as animal welfare, the environment and music. To attain the award cadets must successfully pass four stages: bronze, silver, gold and grand prior.
“You are able to achieve life-long skills while making some great friends,” she said. 
During her visit to the Palace, Lauren was delighted to meet Princess Anne.
Assistant commissioner youth for Somerset St John Ambulance, Sue Winter said, ‘It’s important that we recognise the achievements of young people and this reception presents us with a perfect opportunity to do so. These cadets have worked so hard and demonstrated real commitment to learning and developing new skills and we are very proud of them. They are a credit to our organisation and especially to their youth leaders who have played a big part in inspiring and guiding them.”
St John Ambulance is the nation’s leading first aid charity. The charity believes that everyone who needs it should receive first aid from those around them and that no-one should suffer for the lack of trained first aiders.
For details on becoming a St John Ambulance cadet or youth leader in your area call 08700 10 49 50 or visit www.sja.org.uk