INSPIRING FIRST AID HEROES AND COMPANIES SOUGHT

- AWARDS OPEN FOR ENTRY -

Do you know someone who has saved a life? Or a healthcare organisation that has high first aid standards? St John Ambulance is seeking your nominations as the charity launches its nationwide search for individuals, organisations and businesses that are leading the way in first aid.

The St John Ambulance First Aid Awards is a high-profile awards event honouring first aid role models, while raising awareness that first aid can be the difference between lives lost and lives saved. This year’s event will be hosted by survivalist Ray Mears who has himself used first aid many times and will take place at the luxurious Lancaster London hotel near London’s Hyde Park on 19 November.

Ray Mears says: ‘When I attended last year’s St John Ambulance First Aid Awards, I was touched and inspired by the stories that I heard of heroism and commitment to saving lives. That’s why I am proud to be hosting the First Aid Awards this year.

‘The skill to save a life is an essential one; you never know when you could find yourself faced with a situation where first aid is the difference between a life lost and a life saved. That’s definitely the case in the wilderness but also applies at home, in the office or your local neighbourhood.

‘I can’t wait to hear the great first aid stories that come out of this year’s awards and meet those leading the way.’

Previous winners

Last year’s inaugural event was an inspirational and uplifting evening, with celebrities and royalty attending to celebrate first aid excellence. Hosted by BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth, the evening recognised outstanding individuals from organisations like the Metropolitan Police and Tesco as well as from local communities. Teenagers James Mavin and Michael Purvis received an award from HRH The Countess of Wessex for saving an elderly gentleman's life, while playscheme worker Christophe Hayes was rewarded for resuscitating his colleague.

Healthcare organisations nominated last year included Acorn Villages, Roche Products and winner 3 Trees Community Support. 3 Trees Community Support also won the prize for Overall Workplace of the Year, for a submission described as 'inspiring' by the judges.

Help ensure recognition for first aid heroes

Successful entries will be invited to join high-profile guests for the uplifting black-tie ceremony in November.

Last year’s winner, Simon Smith, Director at 3 Trees Community Support said: “Winning both the Workplace Award for Healthcare and the Workplace of the Year Award came as a big surprise. We see first aid as an everyday part of what we do and it is very humbling to win both of these awards. 100% of our team are trained in first aid and they work hard to bring first aid knowledge to the wider community and young people. We believe it’s an important part of what we offer at 3 Trees and is something we hope to continue doing in future.”

Find out about our award categories, and help ensure that inspirational first aid stories and organisations who are going the extra mile get the recognition they deserve. Visit www.sja.org.uk/firstaidawards for more information. The deadline for entries is 5pm Friday 13 July.