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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.

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