St John Ambulance Guernsey has been presented with a crystal-cut sculpture by the Gibraltar 2019 Organising Committee in recognition of their efforts at the Island Games.

A team of twelve volunteer first aiders and senior staff from the Guernsey charity travelled to Gibraltar to provide first aid cover for the event and assist the organisers, the Gibraltar Ambulance Service and local health authority with additional logistical support.

The inscription which accompanies the miniature sculpture of rock of Gibraltar reads: “A huge gratitude of thanks to all of the St John Ambulance Guernsey team. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

Jorgen Petterson, Chairman of the Island Games Association thanked St John Ambulance Guernsey during the closing ceremony of the games. He also tweeted that St John Guernsey were “some of the many heroes who made the Games a success.”The Bailiff of Guernsey, Sir Richard Collas also acknowledged the achievement of St John Ambulance Guernsey at his Island Games reception at the Royal Court building on Tuesday evening.

Nikki Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at St John Ambulance Guernsey, who lead the activities in Gibraltar said: “It was an amazing week. Our team worked brilliantly alongside the local first aiders and medical staff at the various events. In a very short time we built some good relationships with the Gibraltar health services which helped make the operation run smoothly. I would like to pay tribute to our volunteers who came to the aid of competitors when needed and worked tirelessly to help make the event run smoothly. We’ve learnt so much that we will now be able to bring back to Guernsey as we start to plan for our Island Games in two years time.”

One of the volunteers said: “My lasting memory will be of the friendships we’ve made, especially with the Gibraltar medical services. They have been so friendly and helpful and a real pleasure to work with”.

Another volunteer added “The experience has been amazing. We worked really well together and with the nursing staff and the Gibraltar medical teams. It has given us plenty to look forward to in 2021.”

Chairman of St John Guernsey, Roy Tilleard commented: “I would particularly like to congratulate Nikki Harrison and Phil Ozanne who took on the responsibility of liaising with the organisers and the health authorities in Gibraltar and who co-ordinated the deployment of volunteers. It was a huge logistical operation, but they rose to the challenge and I know that their efforts were greatly appreciated by the Island Games Association and the games organisers.”