A DOUGLAS teenager will compete for the title of National St John Ambulance Cadet of the Year this month.
Breeshey Cowin, 16, of Eleanora Drive, will represent her fellow Island cadets at a selection weekend in Wiltshire, England, from January 27 to 29.
Cadets will go head to head to be chosen as the top cadet in the British Isles.
Breeshey, a member of Douglas Nursing Cadets, is one of the Isle of Man's deputy cadets of the year and is travelling to the competition as cadet of the year James Desmond is unable to attend.
She provides first aid at events across the Isle of Man and has completed the charity's Grand Prior award which 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.
As a result, she was selected to attend the Princess Royal's reception at Buckingham Palace.
Cadets are aged 10 to 18. Many go on to be fully fledged adult volunteers.
Ballakermeen High School student Breeshey said she was "proud to represent the youth of St John Ambulance Isle of Man".
"It's a great honour and I am delighted to be representing all the other cadets in the Isle of Man at regional and national level," she said.
"I firmly believe that anyone, whatever age, can learn first aid and would like to see more young people like me learning the skills that can save a life.
"Research has found that each year up to 150,000 people die in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live and that's a frightening statistic.
"St John Ambulance can teach you how to save someone's life but being a member also helps you develop leadership and other skills that can be used in everyday life."
St John Ambulance Isle of Man's Commander Dr Iain Kewley said: "Breeshey is a great example of a dedicated volunteer who truly believes in the difference that first aid can make to saving someone's life.
"She is a great advocate for St John Ambulance Isle of Man and is exactly the kind of person we are looking for to represent cadets in the county."
Anyone interested in becoming a Cadet or a Badger – the group for members aged five to 10 – or adults interested in volunteering to help at a Cadet or Badger unit should contact St John Ambulance Isle of Man on 674387.
