Honours for first family of first aid

The Lotockyj family (from the left) Stefan, Daniel, Larysa and Lorna

A LIFE-SAVING Chadderton family has scooped a raft of awards for their dedication to St John Ambulance.

The first-aid charity honours its most devoted members with special recognition.

And the Lotockyj family, of Denmark Street, came out on top when Lorna and Stefan and their teenage children were each heralded for their commitment.

Lorna, who works at Tesco’s Chadderton store, last year gave an amazing 1,000 hours of service to St John. She is cadet unit officer at the charity’s headquarters in Chadderton, which puts her in charge of the borough’s cadets.

She organises training in first aid and life skills for Oldham’s St John cadets, and works with youngsters, aged 10-18 at their weekly Monday meetings.

Her unstinting work for the charity also means she provides first aid at many local events, including Oldham Athletic matches, summer fairs and sporting occasions.

And for the past three years she has been part of a team which takes cadets to the Lake District for a week of outdoor pursuits.

Lorna joined St John 23 years ago as a cadet, when she was a teenager, and has never looked back. It was there she met her husband, Stefan

Their two children, Daniel (19) and Larysa (16), have now earned the Grand Prior award, the highest accolade a St John cadet can achieve.

They had to hit the standard in 28 subjects, from first aid to drug education and leadership, and many cadets fall by the wayside before they hit the mark.

They received awards alongside their mother at a ceremony held in Manchester to celebrate the work of St John Ambulance.

Lorna received hers for dedication to service, and along with others who have given 1,000 hours of service, was described by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Christian Wewer, as a “dedicated and hard working volunteer”.

Daniel and Larysa received their prestigious Grand Prior awards, and Stefan (40), received a certificate of recognition for three years intensive voluntary work as area staff officer, when he looked after 12 cadet units in the East of Greater Manchester.

He has now stepped down from that role, but still works as a member of the Oldham training unit.

To find out more about St John Ambulance, or to join, call 0871 423 6030 or visit www.sja.org.uk

For a free pocket sized guide to first aid, text ‘free guide’ to 82727.