TRURO’s St John Ambulance youth group is going from strength to strength, boasting the County Cadet of the Year and with a new younger wing in the offing.

Just three years since its launched at premises on Newham Industrial Estate, the Truro group has 12 members aged 11 to 17 who meet on Tuesday evenings, and is looking to set up a new “Badger Sett” for five to 10-year-olds on Wednesdays from September.

Cornwall’s County Cadet is Cadet Corporal Oscar Hunt, 17, who hails from Falmouth and is studying at Truro College. Oscar competed with several senior cadets from around Cornwall for the position, then travelled to Staffordshire in March to compete against 38 cadets from across the UK. He delivered a presentation on his two-year journey with St John Ambulance, took part in a live first aid scenario performing CPR, completed a formal interview and participated in a formal parade in front of Rear Admiral Simon Williams, Prior of St John, and Deputy Chief Commissioner Dan May-Jones.

While he didn’t bring home the top award, as a finalist Oscar received a commemorative plaque and glass trophy, and an invitation to the 40th anniversary celebrations of the national contest, held at Clerkenwell priory chapel in the presence of the Princess Royal, who is St John Ambulance's Commandant-in-Chief (Youth).

“If you’d told me two years ago that I would get to meet Princess Anne, I wouldn’t have believed you,” said Oscar. “Being County Cadet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – it was nerve-racking at times, but it has increased my confidence no end, and I’ve met people along the way who I’m sure are going to be lifelong friends.”

During his time with St John Ambulance, Oscar has volunteered 150 hours at local events including the Royal Cornwall Show, New Year’s Eve in St Ives and the Ten Tors expedition on Dartmoor. “It has expanded my skill set so much in two years, I wonder what it can do for me for the future,” said Oscar, who hopes to study paramedic science at university.

Laura Calcraft, Network Youth Lead for West Cornwall, said: “It’s amazing for us, as a relatively new cadet group, to have Cornwall’s County Cadet of the Year, and it’s testament to Oscar’s maturity.

“He’s a fantastic representative for Cornwall, leading the way in demonstrating exceptional commitment to learning lifesaving skills, and his example will inspire others to volunteer and become part of a team at the heart of their community.”

The lifesaving skills cadets learn are put into practice at community events including the three-day Royal Cornwall Show, and are useful stepping stones to careers in the healthcare profession, including doctors, nursing and even the police.

The Badger “sett” will provide fun activities and first aid for beginners. “First aid is already part of the national curriculum in primary and secondary school, and St John Ambulance is a good way of getting them started in the ‘helping others’ framework,” says Laura.

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