St John Award for Cadet Heroes

Three Army Cadets have been recognised at this year's St John Ambulance First Aider of the Year Awards in London. This year's winners were presented with their plaques at a ceremony at St John Ambulance's headquarters in London on 30^th May.

The cadets, CSM Rachel Tresman of Surrey ACF, Cdt Cpl Lucie Frezza of Beds & Herts ACF and Cdt Cpl Leon Fairley of Northumbria ACF follow in the footsteps of seven Army Cadets in 2008 and eight in 2007. The award is presented each year to young people below the age of 18 who have used their first aid skills to assist in a real life emergency. This year's ACF winners were judged on their actions in the following incidents:

• Cadet Sergeant Major Rachel Tresman was recognised for assisting a casualty who had been knocked off his motorcycle and, in a separate incident, helping her grandfather after he suddenly lost consciousness.
• Cadet Corporal Lucie Frezza won the award for giving her father CPR after he suffered a heart attack.
• Cadet Corporal Leon Fairley was recognised for diving into the sea at King Edwards Bay in Tynemouth to save two young girls from drowning.

"The Young First Aider of the Year Awards are open to young people from all walks of life," said Lt Col Alan Sharkey, the ACFA's National First Aid Coordinator. "Every year the competition for this prestigious award grows stronger and it reflects on the standard of our young people and their training that the ACF is so well represented every year." In addition to these awards a staggering 34 ACF cadets also received Young First Aider of the Year certificates for their actions. Nominations for next year's awards are now being accepted.

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