Teenager named South London’s St John Ambulance Cadet of the Year

A 16-year-old has been named St John Ambulance’s Cadet of the Year for South London. 

Benjamin Trayner-Clarke, from Streatham, has volunteered with the health and first aid charity’s Streatham and Tulse Hill Unit for around five years, and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

Benjamin, a student at Dunraven School in Streatham, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been selected for this role and I am super excited to spend the next year working with my colleagues all across South London to improve the experience for all volunteers, and help the local communities as much as possible.”

Benjamin will travel to Northamptonshire to compete for the national Cadet of the Year title, next month. 

The winner takes on an important role representing St John Ambulance’s young people, including attending ceremonial occasions and Royal functions. 

He added: “The experience I’ve gained with St John Ambulance is incredible. I’ve met loads of new friends, and I’ve been able to go to a range of high-profile sporting and music events, whilst gaining first aid experience. There’s such an amazing sense of community within St John, and I can’t wait to represent the cadets in my area as district cadet of the year.”

Cadets of the year have a key role in making sure the voices of young volunteers are heard at the highest level in St John. 

The charity has exciting plans to improve, extend and invest in its offer to 7 to 25-year-olds via its badger (seven to 10) and cadet (11 to 17) programmes and university groups, plus new projects over the next three years. 

For more information on St John Ambulance, including how to make a donation, volunteering opportunities, and details of training for the public, schools and businesses, click here or call 08700 10 49 50.