St John Ambulance, Wellington, volunteer Sarah Lithgow has been awarded a medal for her youth work with the organisation.

The Priory of England and the Islands of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem have decorated her as a member of the order.

Sarah has been volunteering with St John Ambulance in Wellington for 13 years and has been a first aider and crewed an ambulance, as well as working with young people.

Currently Sarah runs the Badger and Cadet Units in Wellington, volunteers as a first aider at events and is the county president for St John Ambulance in Somerset.

Sarah said: “St John Ambulance is a fantastic organisation which brings first aid and education into the community, making a difference to the lives of many people. I am proud to represent the organisation.”

St John Ambulance has made a vital contribution to the NHS and local communities during the pandemic.

It has trained 27,000 volunteers to vaccinate and assist during the vaccination programme with more than 800,000 hours of service given. Its ambulance crews have been on duty in support of the South West Ambulance Trust.

Now that events are starting up again St John Ambulance volunteers will be seen on duty providing essential first aid for people attending.

Anyone interested in finding out more, becoming a member of St John Ambulance as a first aid volunteer, a Badger or Cadet, or donating to the organisation, visit its website, sja.org.uk