Jurat appointed new Chairman of St John Guernsey

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Jurat David Hodgetts LVO has been appointed as the new Chairman of St John Guernsey, saying he wants to encourage more young people to join the organisation.

Jurat Hodgetts, who has had a long association with St John in the island, will provide "leadership and support" for the voluntary sections of the organisation and said: “I am delighted to be involved with St John again and look forward to this new role."

Jurat Hodgetts says his vision is to foster the excellent work of St John and look to grow and improve it where it is appropriate. “We have an outstanding youth section which provides great opportunities for young people to develop not only first aid skills, but leadership and self-confidence. I want to encourage more young people to experience the rewards of becoming a Badger or a Cadet and build their personal skills” he said. 

The new Chairman is also keen to promote the adult sections of St John. He added “We will also be looking to develop opportunities for adult members, as first aiders, Community First Responders and youth leaders. There are so many ways people can get involved and make a valuable contribution to our island.”

Jurat Hodgetts says he knows people whose lives have been saved by the intervention of volunteer Community First Responders. “I want to continue to work alongside the St John Emergency Ambulance Service to maintain and grow what is already an excellent scheme, with trained members of our community providing a life-saving service for the community."

The appointment of Jurat Hodgetts as Chairman of St John Guernsey rekindles a long relationship dating back to the 1960s. He first got involved with the then St John Ambulance Brigade as a volunteer when he was just sixteen-years-old. He recalls working alongside founder member Reg Blanchford on emergency ambulance calls. He also responded to incidents with the Cliff Rescue Team and on the Flying Christine. On his return to Guernsey after working away from the island, he was appointed President of the Guernsey Ambulance Division, a position he held during the 1980s and 90s.