Outstanding young life savers recognised at the St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards 2019

London – Monday 7 October 2019 - A remarkable 11-year-old boy who helped save the life of his Grandad when he had a heart attack and a quick-thinking teenager who went to his brother’s aid after a serious biking accident were among the outstanding winners honoured at St John Ambulance’s Everyday Heroes awards, held at the Hilton London Bankside this evening.

Logan Chatfield – who was just 10 years old when he was called on to save Grandad Paul Walsh’s life – is one of the youngest ever recipients of the charity’s Young Hero award, which recognises outstanding bravery and first aid skills. He had learned the first aid procedure for heart attacks only a week before, as part of his training to become a St John Ambulance Cadet. 

15-year-old Jack Smith from Leeds was also honoured with another Young Hero award for stepping in when his younger brother Connor sustained life threatening injuries after crashing his bike. Connor was impaled on the handlebars, severing his femoral vein, but army cadet Jack immediately put his first aid training into action, stemming the blood flow while calling for emergency help.

The third Young Hero award of the night went to two teenage brothers aged 15 and 16 who went to the aid of a neighbour they had never met after he tried to take his own life. Gabriel Walker, who learned St John Ambulance first aid at army cadets, performed chest compressions, while his brother, Jack, relayed information to and from the emergency services. 

These inspirational young people were celebrated for their bravery, courage and life saving skills at the annual Everyday Heroes event. This honours individuals, volunteers and teams who step forward in their communities and in the moments that matter to help loved ones, colleagues, customers or even strangers in need. 

Now in its eighth year, the awards – sponsored by Zoll – were hosted for the second time by Reverend Richard Coles, celebrity vicar and one half of 80s band The Communards.  

Richard Coles said “I was honoured to be invited to host the Everyday Heroes awards again this year and had no doubt that I’d hear another set of amazing stories – I certainly haven’t been disappointed. The young people commended tonight have really stood out and I believe the future of our communities is in good hands if they are anything to go by. I hope their stories will inspire many others to volunteer, learn new skills and be confident to help when it really matters.” 

As well as recognition for young people, Everyday Heroes also rewards the kindness of strangers, colleagues and St John volunteers in three other categories: Community Hero, Workplace Hero and Volunteer Hero.  

Winners included: 

·         St John Ambulance’s Homeless Service in Hastings, which has been improving access to healthcare and providing support for homeless and vulnerably housed people in Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea for 15 years 

·         a racecourse groundskeeper who performed CPR on a colleague and  

· two St John volunteers who talked a young suicidal male down from the edge of a cliff.

St John Ambulance’s Chief Executive, Martin Houghton-Brown congratulated all the award winners, saying: “This evening I have had the honour of celebrating with the truly incredible ordinary people whose moments of extraordinary heroism allow us to put their humanity, care and courage in the spotlight. 

“Many of these are young people, who are the healthcare professionals and community leaders of the future, and their courage is just what our communities need and want. St John has been equipping people like this for 140 years and I am delighted that we can honour this long history with a celebration of our Everyday Heroes tonight.”