AS St John Ambulance’s County President for Somerset I would like to seize the opportunity of Volunteers’ Week to thank all of our charity’s volunteers who work tirelessly in local communities, supporting patients and their families through some of their hardest and most vulnerable times.

Across the country, they give close to a million hours every year to support the public at events. That’s over 100 years’ worth of hours given humbly and without expectation of praise.

Many readers of the County Gazette will, I am certain, have good reason to join me in thanking our volunteers for their medical care. Some will undoubtedly owe their lives to these everyday heroes.

In addition to our frontline first aid provision, St John’s impact would not be possible without all the teams whose work happens quietly in the background, away from spotlight. 

I would like to take this moment to celebrate those volunteers in support roles across our whole organisation for making it all possible. I am also grateful to our young people and their leaders, plus other volunteers such as advocates and first responders, along with the teams of volunteer managers.

Thank you for all that you do; for your family spirit, kindness and dedication, and for representing the values that have been the very foundation of St John throughout all its 900 years of history.

I am immensely proud to be part of this organisation in Somerset and my thanks are not just for Volunteers’ Week – but for every week.

SARAH CLOTHIER OStJ 
County President, Somerset
St John Ambulance