Charity Commander takes on new senior role

A LEADING figure from St John Ambulance London has been appointed to a prestigious role at the charity's National Headquarters.

Michael Messinger, from West Wickham in Bromley, has been Commander of St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales's) District - based at York Street in Marylebone - for the last three years.

Now, as well as continuing with that role, he assumes the title of Acting Chief Commander for St John Ambulance nationally.

A former Commander of the Metropolitan Police Service, Michael became involved with the charity after liaising with its members for a number of years through his police post. He has since served the organisation at a wide number of public events and plays a vital role in the London District management of its volunteer and paid staff.

Michael was officially invited to take on the role after the retirement of Mr Roger Chatterton.

He said: 'Being asked to take on this role is a huge honour and I am delighted to be taking up the post for National Headquarters.

'At the same time, I will continue in my cherished role as Commander of London (Prince of Wales's) District and am enormously grateful for the unstinting efforts that every member of the volunteer and paid team within the organisation puts in on a daily basis.'

Throughout London, the leading first aid charity has a number of units operating at the heart of the community, with members learning first aid skills, providing care at events and leading youth activities.

St John Ambulance London trains 32,000 people in first aid every year and nearly 5,000 volunteers serve the London element of the organisation, providing over 574,000 hours of duty service throughout the year.

It has a thriving youth aspect, with children able to become members from the age of five - as Badgers - and then progressing to Cadets.