It’s been quite a year for Ross Pickthall: he responded to the Cumbria floods, gave first aid at a serious coach crash and supported people following the Raul Moat shootings. Now, unsurprisingly, he’s just won a big award.
The 18-year-old wonder volunteer, who lives near Cockermouth in Cumbria, won the first aid category at this year’s British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Awards. As if that weren’t enough, he’s also been named Young Volunteer of the Year 2010 by Cumbria County Council.
Ross has been a Red Cross volunteer since he was 15 years old. As an emergency response volunteer, he was one the first people to respond and help local people following the Cockermouth Floods last November.
Brave first aider
Then in May this year, Ross was actually on the Keswick school bus which crashed and resulted in three fatalities. Despite his own injuries, the young first aider bravely got back onto the coach to support his fellow passengers, helping the walking wounded and providing first aid before the emergency services reached the scene.
Only a week after that, Ross responded once more following the Cumbria shootings, providing emotional support to people in Whitehaven affected by the tragic events.
This all may sound impossibly impressive, but there are even more strings to Ross’ Red Cross bow. As a peer educator, he regularly teaches other young volunteers how to deliver first aid sessions to young people. He also works with fellow Red Cross volunteers to provide first aid cover at local events.
‘Charming personality’
Receiving his gong, Ross said: “When I signed up, I didn’t expect to get anything in return because it’s a voluntary organisation and you join because you want to help. But actually being recognised for some of the things I’ve done is a really good feeling.”
Hilary Lane, flood recovery manager in Cumbria, has worked with Ross on many occasions. She said: “He has a charming personality that shines through to all he meets, and I’ve heard it said so many times by others that he puts everything into what he does.
“Ross is an inspiration to other young people and living proof that you can make a big difference in your own community if you set your mind to it.”
Learn more about the British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen Awards