THE lifesaving work of local volunteers was celebrated at Dudley Castle on St John’s Day yesterday (Friday June 24).

St John Ambulance West Midlands High Sheriff’s Cadet Pavan Johal from Halesowen and the charity’s Dudley area president Councillor Adam Aston joined Dudley Zoo manager Matt Lewis and St John mascot ‘Bertie the Badger’ to hoist the St John flag from the castle ramparts to honour the work of local first aid volunteers.

Pavan said: “This year, St John Ambulance is celebrating 100 years of volunteering of young people and 35 years since the formation of ‘Badgers’ who are our youngest members between seven and 10, so it was fantastic to represent St John cadets when raising the flag."

Cllr Aston added: “St John volunteers have been supporting the Dudley borough for well over 120 years by keeping people safe at events, providing first aid training and more recently delivering Covid-19 vaccinations; our thanks go to Dudley Zoo and the council for honouring the work of the organisation in this way.”

The flag raising was part of a nationwide celebration of the work of the lifesaving charity which has also seen public buildings across the country lit up in green light and a service of re-dedication organised to take place at St Paul's Cathedral today (Saturday June 25).