A DEDICATED St John Ambulance volunteer has been given an early Christmas present to mark 20 years of helping others.

This week, Ray Hinson, who is a science technician at Kingsdown School, was bestowed as a Member of the Order of St John after being nominated for the accolade in recognition of his service.

The 65-year-old first joined St John Ambulance while living in Guildford and never expected to still be a volunteer two decades later.

“When I received a notification in the post it scared the living daylights out of me because the letter was from St John national HQ,” he joked. “It said I had been nominated for what is known as serving brother because of my work with the youth unit in Pewsey and training people.

“I just feel incredibly honoured to be given this.

“I still can’t think why someone would have put me forward.

“I was totally and utterly gobsmacked because it was completely out of the blue.”

After getting married and moving to various places in the UK, Ray settled in Swindon 20 years ago, taking up a job at Kingsdown where he has remained ever since.

Ray was presented his award on Tuesday and hopes he can inspire others to sign up as volunteers for St John Ambulance or learn first aid.

Recalling one of his many life-saving actions, Ray said: “A guy who used to teach science had a massive heart attack one day and luckily I was on one of those bizarre days where I had been on duty and couldn’t be bothered to take my gear out of the car. I had a defibrillator in the boot and it was having that which managed to save his life.

“What I find is that I’m able to look at things as a job. My wife had a blood clot in her lung one time and the moment she fell to the floor, I had to think that she wasn’t my wife but she was a patient and that is when the first aid kicked in to help her.

“When I joined St John, what I couldn’t get my head around was if something happened and I did nothing. Even if it was the most stupid thing by calling the ambulance on the side, it makes all the difference.

“First aid should be compulsory part of the curriculum in my book because then kids would even know what to do.

“We always need volunteers and I would just say to people learn first aid.

“Indirectly, I have probably saved a hell of a lot of lives from all the training. I try to tell people, especially kids that if you go out and have a drink, if someone isn’t responsive, get them on their side and get help because then you have given them the best chance of survival. Should they be sick lying on their back they could die so even something as simple as that.”

Kingsdown headteacher Emma Leigh-Bennett said the school was immensely proud of Ray.

“Ray has been a member of the Kingsdown family for the last 20 years and he is a loyal, committed and dedicated member of staff. This award that Ray has achieved is another reflection on his generosity of spirit and we are so proud to have him has part of the Kingsdown family.”