Congratulations to Nikki Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of St John Ambulance Guernsey who becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year’s Honours.

Mrs Harrison is recognised for services to the community in Guernsey during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nikki Harrison joined St John Ambulance Guernsey in 2015 and was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer in July this year, having previously been Chief Operating Officer since 2018 and Operations Manager before that. As CEO Nikki oversees all aspects of the work of the St John charity in Guernsey.

Mrs Harrison has been instrumental in the restructuring of the organisation during the past two years. During 2020 Nikki oversaw the charity’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which included the delivery of food and medicines to people in isolation, the volunteer ambulance decontamination team, Caring Callers and the Channel Islands Seaweed hand sanitizer.  The role also involved co-ordinating the community-wide volunteer effort – Volunteer Guernsey, which involved liaison with the Community Foundation, Association of Guernsey Charities, Guernsey Isolation support group, other charities and States of Guernsey departments. In 2019 Nikki led the St John team co-ordinating the first aid cover for the 2019 Island Games in Gibraltar.

Nikki was appointed as a Member of the Order of St John in 2019. She is also a director of the Guernsey Cheshire Home.

Nikki Harrison said: “I am truly overwhelmed. I am thrilled and privileged to accept this honour. I am accepting this on behalf of all our dedicated and wonderful St John volunteers in Guernsey who give their time for the service of the community, providing first aid, youth work, the library, the Flying Christine and much more. I would especially like to thank everyone who came forward to volunteer to provide care and support to islanders during the coronavirus pandemic. The way the whole of the third sector came together for the good of the community was incredible and really humbling to be part of. The award gives me the opportunity to remind people that St John is a charity and the charitable services we provide in Guernsey are only possible with the generous support and sponsorship of individuals and local businesses.”

“It came as a huge surprise when I received the news and I’m still not sure it has sunk in. I look forward to sharing the moment with my children and family,” she added.

Andrew Henton, Knight Commander of the Commandery of St John in the Bailiwick of Guernsey said: “I would like to congratulate Nikki on being made an MBE.  The contribution she makes in our local community goes far beyond what is expected of her professionally.  That long standing commitment was also acknowledged when she was asked by the Priory of England of the Order of St John to assemble and lead a team of volunteers to Gibraltar in 2019. She is the essence of what St John stands for – the service of humanity. Nikki has been key to the restructuring of our operations in Guernsey and we are lucky to have someone with her level of dedication leading the charity.”

The St John Ambulance Guernsey charity provides the following services, all which rely on charitable donations, sponsorship and fundraising.

  • Event first aid

  • Community First Responders

  • Flying Christine III

  • Badger & Cadets

  • Community Library

  • Cycle Response Unit

  • Volunteer Ambulance Reserves

  • Covid-19 Response

Anyone interesting in supporting St John Ambulance Guernsey can do so by emailing info@stjohn.gg or donating at giving.gg

Posted: December 31, 2020