Two people from Guernsey’s Ambulance and Rescue Service have received the honour of being admitted to The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem – commonly known as the Order of St John.
Long serving marine ambulance volunteer Andy Lowe was recognised for his services to the Flying Christine.
Jim Cathcart, who recently became a full-time paramedic and co-ordinates the PR for the Ambulance and Rescue Service, was nominated for his work promoting the organisation.
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem – commonly known as the Order of St John – has its roots in a hospice in Jerusalem in the 11th century. Today the international charity provides health care and support in more than forty countries through a dedicated team of around 250,000 volunteers and staff.
Andy Lowe said: “My uncle built the previous Flying Christine – so it has been fantastic for our family to continue with the close bond for this incredible vessel. I have always been interested in the boat and it has been a real privilege to be involved with it. I am so very grateful to be able to play a small part in a most amazing and rewarding organisation.”
Chief Ambulance Officer Mark Mapp said: “I am delighted to pay tribute to Andy Lowe, whose outstanding voluntary service as coxswain of the St John Marine Ambulance has spanned more than three decades. As a highly experienced Master Mariner and Captain, Andy could have taken his skills anywhere in the world, yet he has chosen to dedicate them to the people of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. For over 30 years he has led volunteer crews on the Flying Christine II and Flying Christine III, answering calls day and night and often in challenging conditions, to ensure that lifesaving care reaches islanders whenever and wherever it is needed”
“Andy’s calm leadership, professionalism and deep knowledge of the sea have been central to the success and safety of the Marine Ambulance Service. He has generously mentored and trained the next generation of coxswains and crew, sharing not only technical skills but also the ethos and values that underpin the Ambulance Service. Most recently, his key role in guiding major upgrades to the Marine Ambulance has helped to secure the vessel’s reliability for the future and maintain public confidence in this vital lifeline. His long and devoted volunteer service is an example to us all, and I am immensely proud to recognise the huge contribution he has made to Ambulance and Rescue and to our community of islands”
Mark Mapp said: “I am immensely proud that Paramedic Jim Cathcart has been admitted as a Member of the Order of St John. Since joining St John Ambulance and Rescue Service in 2016 initially as a trainee retained EMT and Public Relations Officer, Jim has consistently gone above and beyond in his service to our community. Balancing his full-time role in the Ambulance and Rescue Service with leading our communications, he has used his broadcasting experience to raise the profile of St John locally and nationally, from high-impact public awareness campaigns on stroke and heart attack recognition and Restart a Heart Day, to clear and reassuring communication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
His admission as a Member of the Order is such an honour – particularly as this distinction is approved by His Majesty The King – and I am delighted that it has been bestowed upon Jim. It is a fitting recognition of his professionalism, dedication and outstanding contribution to St John and to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.”
Jim Cathcart said: “When I received the letter I was absolutely speechless – I genuinely thought there had been a mix up. Once I realised it wasn’t a mistake, I felt very honoured to get this recognition. I understand one of the reasons I was nominated is for the work I have done raising awareness of the vital work of the ambulance service and the wider St John community in Guernsey, not just locally but among partner organisations further afield. I am incredibly proud to be one small part of an amazing team of people who take time to care and make a difference when it really matters.”
Andy and Jim were both made Members of the Order. An individual can be admitted to the Order for outstanding service to St John in recognition of achievement, notable or selfless service or inspiration and encouragement to others. There are five Grades of membership Member, Officer, Commander, Knight or Dame and Bailiff or Dame Grand Cross
The Ambulance and Rescue service in Guernsey and Alderney is backing a joint national campaign to help prevent falls in older people and provide information on what to do if you do fall.
Falls are one of the most frequent cases for the ambulance service in the islands and during the winter there is often an increase in 999 calls from older and vulnerable people who have fallen and cannot get back up. There are also more risks associated with falling in winter.
The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), speaking on behalf of all UK ambulance services, has joined forces with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) and the British Geriatrics Society (BGS) to issue important advice: know what to do if you fall, and take simple steps to stay steady on your feet.
Anna Parry, Managing Director of AACE, said: “Every winter, across the UK, we see thousands of older people who have fallen and struggled to get back up, often spending some time on the floor as a result. Many of these ‘long lies’ could be prevented. A mobile phone in your pocket, a pendant alarm around your neck or wrist, or practising how to get up from the floor while you’re well could make a real difference.”
Nationally, one in three people over 65 who live at home will fall at least once this year; for those over 80 the risk rises to one in two.
The key advice is:
If you do fall – stay calm. Take a moment to check yourself before moving.
If you can get up safely: roll onto your side, push up to hands and knees, shuffle to a sturdy chair or sofa, place one foot flat and slowly stand.
If you cannot get up: use your phone or pendant alarm immediately, shout or bang to attract attention, keep warm, and move a little every half hour to protect circulation.
Call 999 at once if you, or the person who has fallen:
Cannot get up, even with help
Is confused, not fully awake, drowsy or vomiting
Has injured their head, neck, back or hip
Is in pain
Has severe bleeding
This advice is now available in a downloadable PDF that can be printed off by members of the public from here: https://aace.org.uk/news/winter-falls-advice/.
Dr Ian Higginson, RCEM President, said: “Falls are a common reason that older people find themselves in emergency departments (ED), and can lead to significant injury, particularly when someone is frail. No one wants to go to hospital, especially due to something which can often be prevented. We support this advice which could prevent the need for a stay in an A&E.”
Professor Jugdeep Dhesi, President of the BGS, said: “A fall doesn’t have to mean the beginning of the end of independent living. Many older people recover quickly if they avoid a ‘long lie’ on the floor and get prompt help. Simple strength and balance exercises twice a week, good footwear, removing trip hazards in the home and a review with your GP can dramatically cut your risk.”
Top tips to prevent falls this winter
Carry a mobile phone or wear a pendant alarm.
Have a key-safe or give a spare key to someone trusted.
Wear well-fitting slippers with grip.
Keep paths clear of clutter and trailing wires.
Stay active – even gentle movement helps.
Eat regularly and keep hydrated and don’t drink too much alcohol, especially if you feel unsteady.
Get your eyes and hearing checked.
Never rush when standing up.
Guernsey’s
Ambulance Service, in partnership with Guernsey Museums, is inviting former
members of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service to share their stories and
experiences as part of a special project celebrating the Service’s 90th
anniversary.
It follows the highly successful launch of The Island Memories Project, pioneered last year by Guernsey Museum in partnership with BBC Radio Guernsey.
The Island Memories Project aims to record islanders’ accounts of their past and that of the island. These recordings become part of a permanent digital archive so that future generations can listen to and learn from the people of the Bailiwick that came before them.
In The Island Memories Project : Ambulance and Rescue Service 90th Anniversary, the aim is to record as many former and current staff, volunteers, associates, and grateful recipients of the Service, preserving their memories and experiences for years to come. This phase of the project launches this week and anyone associated with the Ambulance Service is encouraged to get in touch and take part.
Kit Hughes, Assistant Curator, Guernsey Museums – “Guernsey Museum has been blown away by the public engagement and support for The Island Memories Project and we’d like to say a huge thank you to all who have taken part so far. This project is a fantastic legacy for islanders to leave for future generations and will ensure their experiences and achievements are not forgotten.
As we move into the second year of the project, we are delighted to partner with Guernsey’s Ambulance Service to commemorate their 90th Anniversary by recording and preserving their story through the people that lived it. They are a pillar of local life that fully deserves recognition for all they do for the Bailiwick and we look forward to working with them in 2026.”
Dean de la Mare, Head of Operations at the Ambulance and Rescue Service said: “We’re excited to be working in partnership with Guernsey Museum to celebrate our 90th anniversary next year. From its early beginning in 1936, through the Occupation years and then into the development of the road ambulance, marine ambulance and rescue services, Ambulance and Rescue has expanded and evolved over the years, in response to the changing needs of the island. We are really keen to hear from people with memories of those early years, people who may have stories of cliff rescues, the diving team or the recompression chamber. St John also pioneered mobile telecommunications in ambulance and radar for sea rescues. We also had the world’s first marine ambulance.
“We have already reached out to some of our retired staff through the St John Fellowship, however we know there are lots of other people who have worked or volunteered for the service over the years – and we’d like to capture their memories too.”
St John took over the running of the ambulance service in 1936, with the first ambulance responding from the Rohais at 5pm on 2nd June 1936.
Guernsey Museums will also be hosting a photography exhibition in Candie Gardens next year to mark the anniversary.
If you would like to participate or know of someone who could contribute to this project, please contact – Guernsey Museum – tel. 226518 or email christopher.hughes@gov.gg
Mark Mapp, KAM Guernsey’s Chief Ambulance Officer and Chief Executive Officer of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service has announced his intention to leave his position during 2026.
The announcement is being made now to ensure a planned and structured recruitment process for a successor, and a smooth transition process over the coming months.
Mr Mapp who has been Chief Ambulance Officer since April 2019 said:
“I have decided that the time is right for me to stand down from my role as Chief Ambulance Officer and CEO. The ambulance service is in a strong and stable position and I have chosen to leave at this point, because I want to spend some time with my family before my son embarks on his own career. We are planning some adventures together and I want to enjoy this time while I am still fit and healthy.
“I am proud to have served the island communities in this leadership role for the past seven years, and of the achievements of the ambulance service as a whole, and all the individuals in the team who come to work every day to provide care, compassion and life saving treatment for the sick and injured.”
Mark will continue in his role, providing continuity, stability and guidance during the transitional period while a successor is appointed. The recruitment process will begin in January.
Mr Mapp added: ”I remain focused on delivering the excellent prehospital service our community has come to expect and I will be working closely with the board to support the Senior Leadership Team and operational staff through this period.”
Chairman of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service board of directors, Mark de Garis said: “We will be sorry to see Mark leave his role. He has made a significant contribution to the service and the community, dedicating the past seven years to leading the organisation with commitment, resilience and a clear strategic vision. Mark has guided Ambulance and Rescue through a period of transformation, including the restructuring of the leadership team, increasing the financial stability of the organisation and further developing standards of quality and patient care.
Mr de Garis added: “I am grateful that Mark has given advanced notice, which will allow us to work through the recruitment and appointment process, giving time for a structured transition and handover. The board will continue to support Mark and his team over the coming months to ensure stability and continuity for everyone involved, including the staff and the wider island communities.”
Further updates relating to the recruitment process will be provided at the appropriate time.
Subscription numbers have increased by 20% in the first few weeks of the Ambulance and Rescue Service’s annual campaign.
Which means around 400 extra people have asked themselves the question we are posing: “can you afford not to have a subscription?” and decided to opt in. An annual subscription costs £71.
We’re asking you to join them.
Chief Ambulance Officer Mark Mapp said:“This single subscription of £71 represents extraordinary value as it covers over £15,000 worth of medical care cover. I know thinking that you’re going to need an ambulance is something you don’t want to consider, but the truth is we attend 10,000 emergency and transport call outs a year and you could be among them. An emergency ambulance costs £585 and if you’re in Sark and need the Flying Christine, that’s £2,420. That is added stress in emergency. And there is no need for this to be the case.
“Please have a conversation in your house about whether you can afford to not have a subscription. It is worth having this conversation with friends and relatives too – because if your household needs more than one emergency response in a year, the costs are quickly going to add up, and a simple £71 subscription is going to prevent that from happening. We are in the odd position of recommending something we hope you never need to use – but if you do, you really won’t regret taking it out. No one plans to have an accident, but you can plan to have a subscription. Just ask yourself, “can I afford not to?”
Last year one in four people who needed an ambulance did not have a subscription. Don’t be one of them.
Subscriptions can be taken out online, in person at Guernsey Post or at the ambulance HQ at Blanchford House, Rohais.
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The Ambulance and Rescue Service is reminding people in Alderney that they do not need to take out a subscription, due to the way the service in Alderney is funded.
Unlike Guernsey, where charges apply, ambulances in Alderney are paid for through local taxes, so charges and subscriptions do not apply. Alderney residents are also covered for ambulance call outs when they are visiting the other islands and for transfers on the Flying Christine III marine ambulance.
Chief Ambulance Officer, Mark Mapp said: “We provide a full time, professional ambulance service in Alderney, with 24/7 cover from qualified ambulance crew, however Alderney operates under a different funding model to Guernsey, which means when someone calls an ambulance in Alderney the costs are covered directly by the States of Alderney, through the tax system. So, Alderney residents don’t need a subscription.”
Mr Mapp added: “I know that previously, when the service was purely a voluntary one, people in Alderney were encouraged to donate to cover the operating costs. That changed when Ambulance and Rescue took on the professional operation. However, if anyone in Alderney wishes to support our work, we warmly welcome donations for the staff welfare fund, the Community First Responders and the Flying Christine marine ambulance, all of which rely on public generosity.”
The reminder comes following the launch of the 2026 subscription scheme in Guernsey. People in Guernsey are encouraged to buy an annual subscription costing £71 in order to avoid a bill of £585 for an emergency call.
St John Ambulance and Rescue Service was commissioned by the States of Alderney to operate the emergency and urgent care service in Alderney in 2023. Ambulance and Rescue employs a team of emergency ambulance crew, based in Alderney, with clinical governance, oversight and support from Guernsey.
That’s our message as we launch the 2026 scheme.
More than a quarter of people who needed an ambulance last year didn’t have cover.
Don’t be one of them.
For just £71 you’re covered for the whole year whether you need an emergency ambulance, ambulance transfer or the Flying Christine when you’re visiting the other islands.
More than £15,000 worth of care is included with the single £71 payment – which is also available as a monthly payment to help make it even more affordable. Those with an existing direct debit will have their subscription automatically renewed, those without will have reminders sent. Payment can also be made at Guernsey Post counters across the island. Parking is limited at the ambulance HQ and we would urge you to only come here if you have to.
Chief Ambulance Officer Mark Mapp said:
“No one can promise you aren’t going to have an accident or medical incident next year, but what we can tell you is that the cost of calling an ambulance is £585. If you’re in Herm and need the Flying Christine, that would be £647 or in Sark, £2,420. That’s money most people don’t have readily available and that is added stress after an accident. That’s why we have this subscription service, to ensure that if you need an ambulance you don’t have to worry about finding the money. It’s just another way we help care for the community – our message really is subscribe and save.
“It’s also entirely possible you won’t have just one accident or medical incident, and many people need us several times. Those bills are going to add up and for just £1.37 a week, you can prevent that bill shock.
“It’s the odd position of asking you to pay for a service you hope never to use. We hope you don’t need to use us either, but if you do, it’s far better for your wallet that this subscription is one you’ve taken out. In total the monetary value of the subscription is more than £15,000 worth of care for just £71. Most people assume they won’t need a single ambulance call out, but what if you or your family need more? Really this subscription is the only way to ensure you don’t end up with a large bill. It’s the same as a few months worth of Netflix. We respond to 7000 emergency call outs every single year and the truth is: you could be one of them. When you add in patient transfers that increases to 10,000 callouts. It’s important to note that a lot of what we do isn’t just emergencies and that one medical incident often results in multiple ambulance transfers after that initial call. Please have a conversation in your household about whether you can afford to not be covered.” To join the subscription scheme, please go to ambulance.gg/charges-subscriptions, or visit a Guernsey Post branch. Due to limited parking and movement of operational ambulances we are asking people to avoid visiting the ambulance HQ at Blanchford House, Rohais, unless they are unable to get to a Post Office.
It’s a service you hope never to need, but if you do, you’ll be glad you have it.
More than 200 people got hands on with free CPR and AED sessions at Beau Sejour as part of Restart A Heart Day .
Paramedics from Ambulance and Rescue were on hand to support the community outreach initative led by the lifeguards at the leisure centre on 16th October. The event was part of a national day organised by the Resuscitation Council UK in cooperation with ambulance services across the country and organisations including the Royal Life Saving Society.
Jim Cathcart, Paramedic and Communications Officer at Ambulance and Rescue said: “Recognising when someone has suffered a cardiac arrest and having the confidence to do CPR is vital because every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10%.”
According to research from the Resuscitation Council, 37% of people surveyed said they wouldn’t feel very confident they could help someone having a cardiac arrest, while 24% said they wouldn’t be at all confident. Only 11% of people surveyed said they felt totally confident about using a defibrillator correctly. 15% of people surveyed think only trained medical professionals are allowed to use a defibrillator.
Jim Cathcart added: “There have been a number of cases in Guernsey in recent years where people have been saved thanks to early recognition, early calling of 999, early CPR and early defibrillation. The availability of public access defibrillators in green boxes around the island, the use of volunteer community first responders and police co-responders, together with telephone CPR instruction from the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre (JESCC) and increased public awareness of CPR have all contributed to improving the chances of someone surviving a cardiac arrest.”
In addition to supporting the public demonstration sessions at Beau Sejour, the ambulance service also produced a social media video featuring
video filmed at various locations around the island, highlighting that a cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere. The video shares the message that knowing how to do CPR can save a life.
The short film features paramedics, firefighters from Guernsey Fire & Rescue and the Airport Fire Service, lifeguards at Beau Sejour, students from Blanchelande College, security staff at the harbour and St John cadets, as well as first responders in Alderney.
Guernsey’s longest serving paramedic Andy Adam is celebrating 40 years of dedicated service to community this week.
Andy’s career with the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service began in 1985, starting on 24th June, which coincidentally is St John Day. After a period with the Patient Transfer Service, he trained as an Emergency Medical Technician and then studied to qualify as a paramedic. However, his association with St John started many years before as a youth member of the first aid charity. As a cadet he successfully represented the island in national competitions and later become an adult volunteer.
During his long career, Andy has been recognised for his consistent and dedicated support to the senior management team and his ongoing commitment to his work within the ambulance service. He was appointed as an Officer of the international Order of St John last year for his outstanding service.
Andy said: “As a St John Cadet, attending first aid competitions throughout the UK I knew I had found my calling, then stepping through the station doors as a full-time member of the professional service was the beginning of a journey I could never have fully imagined.
“It has been a varied and rewarding career, albeit not over yet. The profession has changed dramatically, we’ve seen advances in training, equipment, and clinical care, alongside a significant increase in call volume and complexity. But what has remained constant is the strength and support of the team around me. We’ve stood side by side through good times and difficult ones, and that camaraderie has made the journey possible. We’re more than colleagues we’re an extended family. It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve this community, and I’m proud to still be part of something so meaningful.”
Andy is a hugely respected team leader and has been a Paramedic Station Officer for more than twenty years, he continues to be an active operational paramedic, responding to medical emergencies on a daily basis. He has been responsible for all major incident training within the ambulance service and also oversees the Volunteer Ambulance Reserves, ensuring a high level of resilience and support in the event of significant or major incidents.
During his career Andy has served as a principle to the cliff rescue team and hyperbaric chamber team. He worked on the Flying Christine and the Inshore Rescue Boats and also provided valuable paramedic support to Sark and was deployed to Alderney to offer experienced leadership and guidance during a challenging period for the island’s ambulance service, helping to strengthen local provision and restore confidence. Andy is very flexible and always willing to step in to support areas that are over and above his required commitments. In the midst of the Covid pandemic Andy played a vital role in the vaccination programme and spent time working in the Emergency Department to give extra resilience.
Asked about his most rewarding moments, Andy said:
“A few notable moments would be achieving my paramedic registration, amongst the first in Guernsey; serving as both Hyperbaric decompression chamber Principal and Cliff Rescue Team Principal; receiving commendations from Chief Officers; facilitating Major Incident training exercises – and then recently being invested into the Order of St John and representing the Crown Dependencies at the VE Day procession in London earlier this year.
So, I am lucky to have had such an interesting and diverse career with the Ambulance Service.”
Chief Executive Officer of St John Ambulance and Rescue Service Mark Mapp said: “Andy marks an incredible milestone this St John Day—40 years of dedicated service to the ambulance profession. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Andy from the very start of my own career. As my former team leader, he was a valued mentor whose support and guidance helped shape my journey, as it has for so many others.
“It’s fitting that this anniversary falls on St John Day, as Andy truly lives the values of the Order: In the Service of Humanity, with respect and kindness, unselfishness, a commitment to modern, excellent care, and an openness to learn. He shows a deep devotion to helping others, promotes togetherness through shared values, and upholds diversity, inclusion, and the vision of our founders.
“With no immediate plans to step away, Andy continues to be a steady, inspiring presence—and we’re all the better for it.”
Reg Blanchford was the founder of St John Ambulance and Rescue Service. He is celebrated for his vision, innovation and pioneering work.
Reginald Blanchford, known as Reg, was born in Guernsey on 24th February 1915. He had six sisters and went to Les Vauxbelets College.
In 1930, he joined his father’s concrete works base at the Rohais in St Peter Port. Later that year, a serious motorcycle accident set him on a path that would determine his future. At the time, the Island’s only ambulance service was run by the States of Guernsey on a part-time basis. After a long wait for the ambulance, a passing car took Reg to hospital. He was in a critical condition with serious injuries, resulting in a long recovery period.
Reg was determined to start a professional ambulance service so in 1934, he joined the newly formed St John Ambulance Brigade. In 1936, he purchased a second-hand ambulance, housed at the Rohais and Reg was on call 24 hours a day, relying on volunteer Brigade colleagues to assist him.
Reg was a natural pioneer and innovator, dedicating his life to developing the ambulance service into, what was probably then, the most advanced of its kind in the world. Reg married Rona in 1940 and they had two boys.
During World War II, whilst Guernsey was occupied by German Forces, no ambulance call went unanswered. The St John Transport Section developed under the most trying circumstances with Reg’s innovation playing a leading part.
After the Occupation, Reg developed the service with the first ambulance radio communications system in the British Isles and the world’s first marine ambulance, Flying Christine, launched in 1952. ‘St John Ambulance & Rescue Service’ grew with diving, cliff rescue and inshore rescue teams, a mobile radar unit and hyperbaric chamber.
Reg’s bravery and innovations lead to him be made an MBE and OBE and receiving a gold Lifesaving medal; the George Medal; and the gold bar to the Lifesaving medal. He was appointed as a Knight of Grace of The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem in 1970. He was also the subject of ‘This is Your Life’.
Reg retired in 1976 and was voted ‘Our Greatest Guernsey Man’ in 1997.
He died on 4th September 2002 leaving behind an ambulance service that he would have been proud of today.
