Your Harrogate Radio

10:00pm - 6:30am

Email the studio

Maroon 5

Sugar

Listen Live

Ripon teenager wins St John Ambulance award

Wednesday, 14 January 2026 11:12

16-year-old Ripon Grammar pupil Grace Stockdale.

A Ripon Grammar student has won a major St John Ambulance award.

Having been named Cadet of the Year in her Ripon unit, Grace Stockdale came runner up in the highly competitive Cadet of the Year competition for her region.

The 16-year-old took part in a series of challenges which involved first aid scenarios, presentations and interviews and taking part in a debate.

She said:

“The toughest part was having the confidence to sell myself."

A member of the St John Ambulance for eight years, she came away with the Deputy Cadet for Teesside and North Yorkshire title.

Having recently passed a first aid course required for her to be able to attend events where the SJA provides medical assistance, she credits the SJA with teaching her a host of new skills.

Grace added:

“In addition to first aid, I have gained communication and leadership skills on a range of courses.”

Grace, who also attends Spitfire Explorer Scouts and has qualified as a dinghy sailing instructor, hopes to study science or engineering after RGS.

She will now represent all cadets from her district and will deputise for the Cadet of the Year at major events.

St John has around 8,000 cadets nationally was established in 1922 to offer first aid training to girls and boys aged 11 to 16.

As the programme evolved, it expanded to enable young people aged 10 to 17 years to learn first aid, including how to deal with modern-day health emergencies as well as building confidence and gaining important life skills to help create a healthier, safer, more resilient future.

More from Local News

Harrogate hairdressers named as finalist at Salon Business Awards

Harrogate salon Kingsgrove Hair and Beauty has been named a finalist in three categories at the Salon Business Awards 2026.
Search for wanted man with links to Ripon

42-year-old Anthony Ward is wanted on recall to prison following a breach of licence conditions.
Chart-topping boy band East 17 to perform at Bilton Club

Chart-topping boy band East 17 are set to perform live at Bilton Club in Harrogate this December.
Current owners to remain at Lime Tree Café following acquisition

The team behind Lime Tree Café in Knaresborough will remain in place following its acquisition by British Garden Centres.
Working mens club in Starbeck celebrates 125th anniversary

A long-standing community venue in Starbeck is marking its 125th anniversary.
Council shares update on Kex Gill realignment scheme ahead of June opening

North Yorkshire Council has shared an update on the £82.5million Kex Gill realignment scheme.
Harrogate Masterchef star joins Headline stage of Great British Food Festival

Harrogate's MasterChef semi-finalist Yemi Adelekan is set to appear on the Headline stage at this year’s Great British Food Festival at Harewood House.
Classic car show and Pride party among new events coming to Knaresborough

Classic cars and a Pride party are among a raft of new free events heading to Knaresborough this year.
Conservative Club to fully fund Starbeck Christmas lights

Starbeck Conservative Club has announced it will cover the full cost of this year's Starbeck Christmas lights.
Yorkshire's first two-wheelchair buses transform travel for Harrogate students

Students at a Harrogate specialist college say new two-wheelchair buses are making it easier to travel together and access the community.
Harrogate MP visits Ukraine as part of major cross-party parliamentary delegation

Local MP Tom Gordon has returned from Ukraine after joining the largest cross-party delegation of UK Members of Parliament to visit the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
New girls' football initiative launched in Harrogate

A new girls' football initiative is set to kick off in Harrogate, offering fresh opportunities for young players across the district.
85 cyclists set off from Ripon to fundraise for suicide prevention charity

A field of 85 cyclists, including adults and juniors, were in Ripon on Sunday (1st March) to take part in Yorkshire's eighth Reliability Ride of 2026.
Luxury Ripon hotel with unique 'snow room' wins Global Spa Award

Luxury Ripon hotel Grantley Hall has won Best Spa Hotel – UK at The Global Spa Awards by The Luxury Spa Edit™ 2026.
Harrogate restaurant shortlisted for national Italian awards

A Harrogate restaurant has been named among the finalists in this year's UK Italian Awards.
Council set to spend up to £477,000 on vapes

North Yorkshire Council is set to spend up to £477,000 on e-cigarettes to help residents quit smoking.
Harrogate MP urges British nationals in Middle East to 'register their presence'

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has urged British national currently in parts of the Middle East affected by conflict to 'register their presence.'
Police appeal after racist comments made in Ripon

Police are appealing for information about a racially aggravated public order incident in Ripon.
Majority of families secure first choice for secondary school

Almost 90 per cent of parents and carers in North Yorkshire secured their preferred secondary school for their child, continuing the county’s high level of success in recent years.
Ripon pupils celebrate school's cultural diversity

Pupils are organising a vibrant and exciting new event to celebrate cultural diversity at Ripon Grammar School.