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The Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force first aid team took part in the twelfth Young Grand Prior Competition held at Coton House, Rugby on Thursday 12th November. This is the most prestigious St John competition of the year with teams having to win regional and national competitions to earn a place. Young people from 13 to 24 representing schools, Royal Mail and all the uniformed youth organisations competed.
Trained by the County First Aid Adviser
Sergeant Major Les Edwards, SBSt.J and 2nd
Lieutenant Dave Gaskell the all female team of six
comprised of a youth and young adult team. Both teams had
to demonstrate their skills as they treated casualties in
realistic simulations. There were both team and individual
tests with one team member taking part in a head to head
scenario. Tasmin Smith (16) from Cherry Hinton,
Abbie Bowen (17) from Waterbeach together with Jodie Page
(17) and Hannah Brady (15), both from Ely made up the
youth team. Tasmin who was the team leader could not
compete on the day due to illness so Hannah who was the
reserve had to take over the position.
Having had no training in that role and in only her
second competition she again put in a faultless
performance and scored the maximum points available. With nineteen other teams in the youth
category the team had to stay focused and put all their
training and skills in to practice while under pressure.
The whole team rose to the challenge and their efforts
paid off as they walked away with the Inter Services First
Aid National Championship Shield as winners of the
Services Cadet Group Awards. They also won the St John Cup
for coming third overall in the Young Grand Prior
Competition. The awards were presented to the team by
Steven Blakeley – better known as PC Geoff Younger from
ITV’s Heartbeat – who himself was a previous Army Cadet
with Derbyshire and Young Grand Prior Winner.
L-R Zoe King, Steven Blakeley and Amber Bradbury
Zoe King (18) and Amber Bradbury (17), both from Ely were
the young adult team. Competing against eight other teams
they put in an outstanding performance and came fifth
overall. Black Watch Army Cadets emerged as the overall
winners.
Team manager Les said after the event “To have reached
this stage of the competition again is a huge achievement,
to come away with the inter service championship and third
place overall is outstanding. That said no matter where
the team came they are all winners to me and it is an
honour and privilege to train them.”
For more information about the army cadet force or if you are interested in finding out more about the first aid team then contact 01223 862949 |
