Dedicated Hurst Green volunteer on a first-aid mission

WHEN Hurst Green's Quenelda Avery regularly visited an inmate at Lewes Prison many years ago, little did she know she was making a difference which he later claimed saved his life.

Now the newly appointed county president of Sussex St John Ambulance is appealing to members of the public to make a difference by learning first aid.

"We must all learn not to be a bystander," said Mrs Avery, of Ticehurst Road. "I want to encourage the public to do it. It could save the life of someone next to you."

Mrs Avery, 64, married with three children and four grandchildren, has always supported humanitarian organisations.

Her new role is a senior voluntary position which involves acting as an ambassador for the charity throughout Sussex.

"I want to support volunteers who make a difference to life and death and help vulnerable people whether homeless or in crisis," she said.

Mrs Avery used to work in the prison service and regularly visited a prisoner in Lewes Prison.

She was astonished some months later to receive a letter from him which read: "You have no idea the support you gave me when you were in prison. You saved my life."

Mrs Avery took up her new appointment following the retirement of former president Major Mark Scrase-Dickins.

She has given many years of dedicated service to several Sussex charities, including the British Red Cross, and has been vice-president of the Wadhurst division of Sussex St John Ambulance since 2007.

She has worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Independent Monitoring Board at Lewes Prison, the Advisory Council of Chichester Cathedral's Development and Restoration Trust, and been a trustee of Sussex Emmaus which provides accommodation and support for homeless people.

Her husband, Julian, is a former High Sheriff of East Sussex and is currently chairman of St Michael's Hospice in Hastings.

Son Tom is one of the UK's foremost explorers and holds the record for leading the fastest surface journey to the North Pole. He is also the youngest Briton to have travelled on foot to both poles.

Mrs Avery said: "I feel very privileged to be taking on a lead role in such a highly respected and valued organisation whose members are so often the difference between life and death.

"I am particularly looking forward to supporting young volunteers who already play such an important role in St John Ambulance."