It’s often the people who have done the most who are the most reticent to share their achievements. The volunteers who have made a life-changing impact through their dedication and kindness, but really would tell you it’s no big deal.
This is the chance to show them that actually, it is a big deal, or take a moment to recognise your own achievements and the difference they have made. Through its annual Everyday Heroes awards, St John Ambulance celebrates the nation’s life savers, health heroes and community stars – and nominations are open now.
The awards recognise those who bravely step forward in the moments that really matter, saving lives with first aid – including mental health first aid – or impacting community health through volunteering. They recognise inspiring people, groups or teams in three categories: Young Hero, Community Hero and Workplace Hero. They will also reward outstanding contributions from St John Ambulance volunteers.
One of last year’s winners was teenager Courtney Powdrill who, at just 15, bravely rushed to help a man who was stabbed outside her home in Luton.
From her window, the student saw another teenager being attacked. Jumping into action, Powdrill, who had received first aid training via the Army Cadets, rushed towards danger.
As she opened the door, the attackers ran away, and Powdrill began attending to the boy lying on the ground, who had been stabbed in the left calf and back. The 15-year-old shouted to her mum to call the emergency services and began to apply pressure to the man’s leg wound while also raising his legs to reduce blood loss. She chose not to remove his tight-fitting jacket, a good decision as it was stemming the blood flow from his back wound.
At the awards last year, her mum said: “I’m extremely proud of Courtney. If it wasn’t for her going out to help him I don’t think anyone else would have gone out. So, although she doesn’t take the credit for saving his life, and that was down to the ambulance crew, I don’t think she realises what part she played.
“I think Courtney saved his life.”
Other past winners include a father and son duo who saved the life of a former Olympic boxer when he collapsed on a golf course and a football medical team who successfully resuscitated five patients who suffered cardiac arrests.
“Everyday Heroes is an opportunity for us to reflect and celebrate the inspiring people in communities across the country who are ready to spring into action in health emergencies, when we need them the most,” said the charity’s chief executive, Martin Houghton-Brown.
“Half a million people learn first aid with us every year and with unprecedented pressure on our health service, we are extremely proud to stand with our 14,000 volunteers in support of the doctors, nurses and health professionals of the NHS.
“We know there are untold stories of health heroes all over the country – there will be at least one in your community – and I’d urge you to find and nominate them now.”
The awards ceremony will take place at Hilton London Bankside on Monday 7 October 2019. Previous guests include Katie Piper, Tess Daly, Dr Ranj Singh, Sir Trevor Brooking and Sophie Raworth.
For more information about the awards and details of how to nominate, visit the St John Ambulance website at www.sja.org.uk/nominate. But make sure you get your nominations in quickly, as they close on Friday 14 June.