Sandra Scott invested into the Order of St John
Sandra Scott, Officer in Charge of St John Ambulance’s Brentford and Chiswick Division, has been recognised for her contribution towards first aid with St John Ambulance by being invested into the Order of St John. The honour was bestowed at a special ceremony on Thursday April 14 in the Order’s historic 12th century Priory Church in London’s Clerkenwell.
People can only become members of the Order of St John if they have shown exceptional service to its key foundations – one of which is St John Ambulance, the nation’s leading first aid charity. The Order of St John is a Royal Order of Chivalry and each recipient is approved by Her Majesty the Queen, its Sovereign Head.
Up to 150,000 people die each year in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live. St John Ambulance believes no one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it and the work of Volunteers such as Sandra is crucial in being the difference between lives lost and lives saved.
Sandra, who lives in in Uxbridge, has been a Member of St John Ambulance for nearly 12 years. She is currently the Officer in Charge of the Brentford and Chiswick Division.
She said: ‘I originally joined St John Ambulance because I was aware that if something happened at home or on the train to work, I would like to be able to know what to do.
‘Being a Member has given me lots of opportunities and chances for training, and it has led me into a more medical career, as in September I will be going to university to study paediatric medicine.
‘My role at St John Ambulance has brought out leadership and communication skills in me, and I am very thanksful for that and hope to be able to pass those skills on to others. I enjoy my role immensely.
‘It is a great honour to be invested into the Order of St John.’
Sandra has been made a Serving Sister of the Order of St John. She was presented with the Order’s insignia by Rodney Green, the Prior of the Priory of England and the Islands. The Prior is the Chairman of the Priory of England and The Islands (part of the Order of St John).
The Prior, Rodney Green, said: ‘I’m delighted to invest Sandra into the Order of St John. She was honoured in recognition of her dedicated service to St John Ambulance, which is committed to making sure no one dies through a lack of first aid training. As one of the charity’s 40,000 Volunteers, her work is integral to its work in communities across the country.’
The investiture ceremony takes place three times a year. Around a hundred people from communities across the country are invested on each occasion, the majority of whom are St John Ambulance Volunteers.
The Order of St John is one of the world’s oldest charities and traces its origins back 900 years to the Knights Hospitaller and the first Hospital of St John in Jerusalem in 1078. Its international history and work is showcased in the revamped Museum of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell, London.
April 18, 2011