SENIOR personnel from national headquarters have visited St John Ambulance Isle of Man, including Nick Williams, Deputy Chief Commander, and Daryl Perkins, Chief Officer of Youth.
Accompanied by local Commander Dr Iain Kewley and Chairman Professor Roger Berry, they visited the St John Ambulance Headquarters in Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, and met senior personnel.
They learned about providing First Aid cover at this summer’s Commonwealth Youth Games, in which 69 nations will compete and Mr Williams was taken on a tour of the TT course, to hear about the vital work the charity plays during the races.
Mrs Perkins assisted Badgers, the youngest St John Ambulance members, as they prepared entries for the charity’s national Christmas card competition and drew up designs for the Royal British Legion’s 90th anniversary Poppy art competition. The visitors then went out on duty with the St John Ambulance crew attending the V-Festival at Scoill Vallajeelt.
"Having been brought up in Guernsey it was a great pleasure to again experience the ‘island culture’ of justifiable pride, camaraderie, independence and, above all, friendliness," said Mr Williams.
"It was a super opportunity to meet with senior members, to hold forthright but positive two-way dialogue, to discuss the challenges facing members on the Island and to hopefully to help resolve some of them."
He added, "It was a treat to be driven round the TT course, with an in-depth commentary on each corner, and frightening to hear about the speed that today’s motorbikes compete at.
“"There is, understandably, a well-developed ‘green book’ that covers the management of incidents for all motorsport events, produced by the Isle of Man Motorsports Medical Services in conjunction with St John Ambulance.
"Stopping in Ramsey to join members collecting at a flag day demonstrated both the family ethos of St John, with three generations of the same family collecting, and the respect in which it’s held, with the majority of shoppers making a beeline to the collecting tins, the money being so vital to cover the work of St John Ambulance on the Island.
"What a contrast from the major motor sport events and of course the forthcoming Commonwealth Youth Games to visit a typical duty at a school fair, with thankfully nothing more serious than a grazed knee but again demonstrating the obvious respect and high regard that the Island holds for St John Ambulance."
Mrs Perkins said, "It was a pleasure to visit the Isle of Man and to meet some of the young people and their leaders. St John Ambulance offers young people the opportunity to become involved in their community and learn first aid and other life skills while having fun.
"It was great to hear about some of the activities happening here, to have the chance to see members in action and to talk to members and leaders about their volunteering. We were made to feel very welcome."
Dr Iain Kewley, Commander of St John Ambulance Isle of Man, said, "We were delighted welcome Daryl and Nick to St John Ambulance Isle of Man. The visit reinforces the link between the Island's membership, and the wider family of St John Ambulance, both within the UK and internationally.
"We had to opportunity to demonstrate the level of our commitment to the Island's community through our youth work, training, carer's support programme, Community First Responders, ambulances and first aid volunteers."
Mr Williams was appointed to the second highest post in St John Ambulance in 2008, having spent many years in the Territorial Army, his last post being Deputy Commander 42 (NW) Brigade, based at Fulwood Barracks in Preston. He runs an engineering company and is a magistrate.
Mrs Perkins has headed St John Ambulance’s 20,000 youth members since 2009 after serving as Youth Commissioner in Humberside. A paediatric nurse by profession, she has volunteered with the charity since she was nine.
For further information about St John Ambulance Isle of Man or to find out how to sign up for first aid courses, volunteer or to support its work via donations, ring 01624 674387 or visit www.sja.org.uk/counties/isleofman
