And the award goes to... St John Ambulance names Eden Baillie as 2025 Regional Cadet of the Year for London

The Cadet programme (10–17-year-olds), which celebrated its centenary in 2022, plays a huge role in developing the next generation of health professionals, volunteers and lifesavers. Each year St John Cadets provide many thousands of hours of life-saving first aid and care alongside adult volunteers.

The finalists faced rigorous challenges which demonstrated not only their exemplary first aid knowledge but also their passion for volunteering in the community, their leadership, communication skills, and teamwork.

Many of the competitors have used their first aid skills in life-saving emergencies and stressful situations. Examples include Cadets who have responded to symptoms of a stroke and helped with a potential spinal injury following a car accident.

Eden is currently studying for her A-Levels at Dame Alice Owens School and is hoping to study Medicine at university.

Eden has used her first aid skills effectively in a situation at a Halloween house party in 2024. When her friend became tired the pair went upstairs, and Eden saw a girl who looked poorly being attended by her two friends. Eden explained she was a St John Ambulance first aider and offered to help. She could see the girl was experiencing a seizure and asked the friends to stop holding her head. Instead, she placed a cardigan underneath the casualty’s head and made sure a space was kept clear around her.

She asked how long the seizure had lasted and on learning it was longer than five minutes, asked someone to immediately call an ambulance. She then helped the host communicate vital information to the ambulance service while continuing to monitor the girl. When paramedics arrived, Eden handed over to them – and was later told the girl made a full recovery.

Following the selection event, Eden said: “Being part of St John has facilitated the ability to contribute within my community, taught me to trust myself and my capabilities, and introduced me to some of the most fantastic people who share the same core values as myself.

“It is a privilege and an honour to be able to give back to this wonderful organization by representing the Cadets of London, and collaborating with the other Regional Cadets of the Year. I hope to spend this next year interacting with and meeting as many people as possible, both within St John, and within the wider community.”

Rear Admiral Simon Williams CB CVO KStJ, Prior of the Priory of England and the Islands of the Order of St John, and Chairman of St John Ambulance, said:“Eden has demonstrated remarkable determination, extensive knowledge, and exceptional skills during this selection event, earning the well-deserved title of Regional Cadet of the Year for London.

“I want to express my congratulations for such an outstanding performance over the weekend and am looking forward to seeing the positive influence she will have in the region as the representative of all the other Cadets. I am sure that she will join me in extending these congratulations to all the participants in the weekend's extraordinary gathering of all that is good in St John.”

Eden now joins a team of Cadets who will represent St John Ambulance at ceremonial occasions and play a key role in making sure the voices of young volunteers are heard.

St John Ambulance youth programmes support young people from ages 5-25 years and rely on volunteers and donations to run. Find out more at www.sja.org.uk/get-involved/.