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Young people helped provide one of St John Guernsey's biggest highlights for 2024.
The charity offers vital emergency and community services to the island, and the wider Bailiwick too.
Through delivering first aid treatment, education, and training St John ensures everyone has the skills to save a life.
Training can start at a very young age, with the charity saying some of its youngest members and supporters made them very proud this year.
"There have been many highlights for the St John Guernsey charity in 2024, but we would say the biggest highlights were sending our young people to a week long camp in the UK where they got to meet and interact with other St John young people from the UK and Europe," said a spokesperson.
The Youth Camp was held in August, with Badgers and Cadets from Guernsey attending.
At the time they were described as "a wonderful credit" to St John Guernsey LBG, who said "we are so proud of all of our Badger and Cadet members".
Since then, another highlight was achieved - with the first 'Emerald Ball' in aid of St John Guernsey, being staged in November.
The charity said it was also "a huge success" and that it has "paved the way for our 2025 event".
Planning for the second Emerald Ball is already underway.
Pictured: The Emerald Ball as captured by Paul Chambers.
Another highlight for St John Guernsey is one which the whole Bailiwick played a part in.
The charity wanted to shine a light on "the impact our volunteers continue to make providing first aid cover at public events especially during the visit of their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla."
While the Royal couple only came to Guernsey, there were delegates here from Sark and Alderney also.
Pictured: The Royal Visit captured by Chris George.
With public events on the St Peter Port seafront and at Cambridge Park and Les Cotils the staff and volunteers of St John LBG were instrumental in ensuring the day passed off successfully.
Challenges
Each organisation faces challenges, and St John Guernsey said its biggest is one affecting many others too.
"The greatest challenge this year for our charity, like many others, has been funding," the spokesperson said. "The demands on organisations like ours are constantly increasing, as are the running costs for the services we provide.
"These factors, coupled with a decreased amount of available funding, makes what we do incredibly challenging on a daily basis.
"Having both the financial and physical support of our community is the only way we can continue to deliver these vital services."
Offering first aid, education, and training means it is 'business as usual' to an extent for St John over the festive period.
The emergency ambulance service operates 24/7/365 while the volunteers staffing events are also called upon through the season.
The charity is also looking ahead to next year as it continues this vital work.
"In 2025 we aim to continue to spread the message about the St John Charity and the vital role we play in keeping our community safe to generate greater financial support for our organisation.
"We don’t wait for funding before turning up to support our community because lives don’t wait. We therefore wish for greater understanding and support from those around us so we can continue being there in the moments that matter most, keeping our community safe and empowering our community through first aid, ensuring everyone has the skills to save a life."
Pictured above and top: All images provided by St John Guernsey.
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