AN ABINGDON teenager is in the running to be St John Ambulance Cadet of the Year after being crowned district champion.

Jessica Field, a Year 11 student at John Mason School, recently triumphed to take the district title at a competition held in Aylesbury.

The 15-year-old will now represent fellow Cadets from across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, throughout this year at public and St John Ambulance events.

In a competition designed to single out the district’s most outstanding St John Ambulance Cadet, Jessica had to complete a first aid challenge to demonstrate her life saving abilities, take part in a debate, as well as give a presentation and be interviewed by judges.

The teenager, who’s currently a St John Ambulance Cadet at Vale and West Berkshire Cadets, started volunteering with the charity nearly six years ago.

She has completed her Cadet trainee first aider qualification, and is working towards her Grand Prior Award, the highest accolade a Cadet can achieve.

Jessica helps at the weekly meetings by welcoming new volunteers to the unit, giving support to the younger volunteers, and encouraging them to get the most out of their experience. She’s also had to use her first aid in her local community, helping a runner who had an asthma attack; and closer to home too, when her cousin had a severe nose bleed.

She said: “St John Ambulance has opened so many doors for me and given me many opportunities. I feel privileged to be representing other Cadets in this role and want to demonstrate that we, as Cadets, are willing, intelligent, and committed to what we do.”

Jessica, who would like to work in a medical profession and has already secured part-time work in a pharmacy, will now go on to compete for the title of overall London and South Regional Cadet of the Year and National Cadet of the Year in February.

Jo Gardner, Regional Youth Manager, said: “I hope Jessica enjoys the year in office and I am sure she will make the most of all of the opportunities offered and encourage more young people to learn the skills that can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”

St John Ambulance Cadets learn first aid along with a wide range of other subjects such as leadership, radio communications and personal development.

Older Cadets are given the chance to put their first aid and communication skills into practice by providing first aid to the public at events or teaching first aid to other young people and adults.

For more information on St John Ambulance, including how to make a donation and volunteering opportunities, visit sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.