HIGH Sheriff of Somerset Janet Montgomery has seen for herself the ‘extraordinary dedication’ of St John Ambulance volunteers from Wellington and the rest of Somerset.

Mrs Montgomery was a guest at the county’s presentation evening where the work of volunteers in providing event First Aid, training, and working with youths in Badgers and Cadets groups was celebrated.

Her focus during her year in office as high sheriff is on supporting organisations which help children and young people, recognising the vital role education and extracurricular activities play in steering them away from antisocial behaviour and crime.

The presentation night saw volunteers from the charity’s South and West Somerset Network, based in Taunton, and the Mendip Network, based in Wells, receive awards in recognition of service to their local communities over three to 40 years.

There were also members who received certificates thanking them for 500, 750, and 1,000 hours of volunteering in the past year.

The St John Ambulance county commissioner for Bristol, Avon, and Somerset, Dr Joe Cartwright, spoke about recent changes and exciting future developments for the organisation.

Dr Cartwright also thanked the volunteers for their continuing support in the provision of First Aid in Somerset.

Somerset County President Sarah Lithgow, from Wellington, said: “We are actively trying to raise our profile and recruit new members to help with providing First Aid, becoming youth leaders, and to help with fund-raising.”

Anybody who wants to know more about the provision of First Aid at events, training in First Aid, or the St John Ambulance’s youth provision through Badgers and Cadets, or who would like to join the charity and help in any way should visit its website.

St John Ambulance is organising two fund-raising events, ‘12 miles of Christmas’ to complete 12 activities in 12 days, and ‘12 books of Christmas’ to read 12 books in December.