A young aspiring doctor from Colchester has recently been recognized for her exceptional first aid skills. Nine-year-old Amelia Freeman was awarded the Deputy Badger of the Year at the annual St John’s Ambulance Essex ceremony, following in the footsteps of her older sister Ella, who won the award in 2022.
Amelia has always shown a keen interest in the ambulance service and their young volunteers group. Her mother, Jessie, mentioned that after seeing her sister win the award, Amelia was inspired to get involved as well. With a passion for all things medical, joining St John’s was a natural fit for her. Her mother believes Amelia has the potential to become a great nurse or doctor due to her love for helping and taking care of others.
During the ceremony, young participants from across Essex had to demonstrate their first aid skills, knowledge of the recovery position, and lead team-building activities. Amelia excelled in keeping a cool head under pressure, earning her the Deputy Badger award by just one point difference. As a symbol of her achievement, she received an agitate, a braided rope to wear as part of her uniform.
Despite having two daughters who have received prestigious awards, Jessie is most proud of their dedication to learning and perfecting life-saving skills. She emphasized the importance of young people being skilled in first aid and remaining calm in difficult situations. The awards were presented by Lord Lieutenant Jennifer Tollhurst at the ceremony in Chelmsford on November 23.
St John’s cadets celebrated their hundredth anniversary in 2022, while the Badgers, the under-11 division, marked their 35th year. These milestones highlight the longstanding tradition of volunteering within the ambulance service, with young individuals like Amelia carrying on the legacy. The recognition of young talents like Amelia showcases the importance of first aid skills and the impact they can have in emergency situations.
