Royal recognitions for first aiders' "massive" contributions

Sunday 16 May 2021

A pair of dedicated volunteers from a local first aid charity - one of whom helped prevent a youth unit from closing - have been celebrated with a prestigious recognition approved by the Queen.

Kieran Paine has been admitted as an Officer of the Order of St. John for his services to young people and clinical governance in Jersey, while Pearl Bayliss has joined as Member in recognition of her services to the local St. John Fellowship.

Entry to the Order, which currently has around 20,000 members, is by invitation only and subject to the sanction of Her Majesty in recognition of achievements towards St. John Ambulance’s mission and values, but also in expectation of future involvement and contribution.

Members are admitted and promoted in five Grades: Member, Officer, Commander, Knights and Dames, to Bailiff and Dame Grand Cross. 

Pictured: Pearl and Kieran have been volunteering with the first aid charity since 1954 and 1994 respectively.

Both Kieran and Pearl have been volunteering for St. John Ambulance Jersey for several years and joined as cadets.

Pearl’s links with the charity go back to when she joined as a cadet in 1954, but St. John Ambulance said it was her time as a member of the Jersey Fellowship – a group of former volunteers and employees - that demonstrated how caring she is towards the other members as well as the general public.  

As Social Secretary for the Fellowship, Pearl is responsible for organising and running all social events and has gone out of her way to plan “innovative, varied and interesting activities” including lunches, teas, dinners, car drives and games afternoons leading her small team with flair and imagination, the charity said.

Pictured: Pearl is the Social Secretary for the Fellowship.

Not only is Pearl always the first Fellowship member to volunteer to assist with the administration of public duties for St. John Ambulance, but she also regularly acts as a patient at Cadet and Badger competitions, provides practical help at fundraising events, and is an active member of the Marching Group. 

“She willingly turns her hand, at short notice, to anything that supports SJA in Jersey,” the charity said.

The team praised Pearl’s “extremely caring approach”, which she has demonstrated with the 94 members of the Fellowship, ensuring that the most vulnerable, who would not normally venture outside their homes, are visited and taken for car drives.

“She accompanies members, who live on their own, to doctor and hospital appointments, and collects prescriptions and cooks meals if members are unwell,” St. John Ambulance Jersey said.

“Her support to members has increased immeasurably during the pandemic making additional reassuring telephone calls, visits and delivering essential supplies.

“She has made a massive contribution towards the welfare and happiness of Fellowship members and is also an excellent role model to the younger uniformed volunteers. She is highly respected by all within the family of SJA, as well as the wider community, for her selfless commitment, kindness and devotion to others.”

Kieran first joined the charity in 1994, 40 years after Pearl.

Pictured: Kieran is the charity's Clinical Governance Officer and a member of its Management Committee.

During his time as Divisional Officer of a youth unit, he became known for organising interesting and challenging activities. Kieran then stepped down to do a nursing degree, qualified and has since worked as an Intensive Care Nurse. 

Despite his demanding job, he returned to the charity and volunteered to run another youth unit, which was on the verge of closing, enabling it to stay open, and for its members to complete their training and gain their SJA badges.

The charity said he further demonstrated his commitment when he volunteered to become Clinical Governance Officer. “There was no hesitation in selecting him for this important post due to his ability to lead, his knowledge, and his organisational skills,” they said. “He has reorganised the operation of our vehicle fleet leading to considerable efficiency savings. He has shown great personal commitment and energy in raising clinical governance standards, which has resulted in a marked improvement in our regular audits.”

Kieran is also a member of the Management Committee and has played a “key role” in keeping the charity up to date with local requirements during the pandemic. 

“He has given wise advice on PPE and current protocols,” St. John Ambulance said.

“Kieran regularly checks on members’ welfare, offering support, assistance and reassurance, often at the end of a long 12 hour shift at the hospital, which has been so important during the Island’s response to the pandemic.  

“In spite of his other commitments, he has unhesitatingly taken on the role of team leader of the SJA voluntary involvement in the island’s pandemic vaccination programme.”