One of Phil’s outstanding achievements was running the Treatment Centre in Hyde Park at the Kings Coronation
John Ambulance volunteer Phil McCarthy has been honoured for his work with the first aid charity with an investiture into the Order of St John. His dedication was marked recently with a prestigious ceremony in the Order’s historic 12th-century Priory Church in London’s Clerkenwell.
By being selected to become a member of the Order of St John, Phil has been recognised for outstanding service to its key foundations – one of which is St John Ambulance, the nation’s leading first aid charity. The Order of St John is a Royal Order of Chivalry, and each recipient is approved by the Sovereign.
Phil has been honoured for his for services to event delivery in the North East Region (Humberside). One of his outstanding achievements was running the Treatment Centre in Hyde Park at the Kings Coronation. Currently Phil is the Network Lead for South Humber and has worked for many years in training and development opportunities for all ages of volunteers in the Organisation. He is also an emergency responder and is seen many weekends on first aid duty at various events in the Humber region.
Commenting on his investiture, Phil said: ”It was such a surprise, and I am deeply honoured to be recognised for my volunteering. My investiture was a day to remember, especially being among the other volunteers being recognised for our dedication to St John Ambulance.”
Rear Admiral Simon Williams CB CVO KStJ, Prior of the Priory of England and the Islands of the Order of St John, who presented the awards at the investiture ceremony, said: “Phil has been admitted to the Order of St John in recognition of his extraordinary service to our charity and dedication in furthering its life saving mission. This award is greatly deserved, and I congratulate Phil on this achievement.”
Several dozen people from communities across the country are invested on each occasion, the majority of whom volunteer for St John Ambulance. The investiture ceremony takes place three times a year.
The Order of St John is one of the world’s longest established charities and traces its origins back over 900 years to the Knights Hospitaller and the first Hospital of St John in Jerusalem in 1078. Its international history is showcased in the Museum of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell, London.