Monday September 19, 2022: More than 800 St John Ambulance volunteers are in London and Windsor providing medical support to crowds at today’s state funeral of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

In addition to the first aid and health response charity’s operational teams’ role in helping the event go ahead in safety, four St John volunteers – three from St John Ambulance England and another from St John Ambulance Cymru – will march in the funeral procession as part of the Civilian Services Contingent (CSC):

• Diana Martin, 34, St John Ambulance’s Unit Manager for Leicester Central Event Services in Leicestershire
• Emily Whyte, 25, from Watford, a St John Ambulance District Youth Lead
• Lee Devall, 44, St John Ambulance’s District Clinical Lead for Essex
• Jane Van-Tiel, 47, from Pontypridd, St John Ambulance Cymru’s County Support Manager and County Youth Manager.

And further representatives from both St John Ambulance and the wider international Order of St John, will be in the congregation for the service at Westminster Abbey.

Attending the funeral are Nakkita Charag, 23, of Newcastle, representing the Order of St John, and Ann Cable, from Enfield, St John Ambulance’s Chief Commissioner.

Ann Cable says: “Every member of the St John family extends their deepest sympathies to the Royal Family, and we join with them, our nation, and the world in feeling the loss of a monarch whose grace, dignity and tireless sense of service have been a shining example to us all.

“We are privileged and humbled to be playing a vital role in London and Windsor, along with many other events marking the funeral around the country.

“In moments of both sorrow and joy, St John has long been steadfast in our care for communities when they come together. Just a few months ago, many of the same St John Ambulance volunteers enjoyed supporting The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“I am now proud of the commitment all St John people have put into ensuring everyone can mourn in the safe and certain knowledge that help is at hand should they fall ill or find themselves injured.

“I, and the hundreds of people our charity’s teams have cared for in recent days, thank everyone involved for their service.”

In addition to the 800-plus St John Ambulance volunteers on duty providing medical cover in London and Windsor today, a further 200-plus St John people are supporting the operation behind the scenes, through logistics, communications, catering, and other essential functions.

In total, more than 2,500 St John Ambulance volunteers offered to support the period of national mourning for HM Queen Elizabeth II including today’s funeral.

This incredible offer of service has also ensured that St John Ambulance has continued its vital, day-to-day work across England, including supporting football matches and other events, providing the ambulance auxiliary, and administering vaccinations.

Today’s solemn occasion is all the more poignant for St John people because of the charity’s close connections to the Royal Family.

The Queen was Sovereign Head of the Order of St John – an order of chivalry – and patron to St John Ambulance. Those roles now pass to King Charles III.

In addition, HRH The Duke of Gloucester is Grand Prior of the Order, whilst HRH The Princess Royal and HRH The Countess of Wessex have roles with St John Ambulance, as Commandant Youth and Grand President, respectively.