A young care practitioner with a heart of gold who came to the aid of a man whose head was impaled on a stick has won one award and been nominated for another.
Aspiring paramedic Callum Davies, 18, from New Broughton, near Wrexham, has won the Grand Prior Award which is the highest honour that a cadet in the St John Ambulance Youth Programme can achieve.
He was presented with the prestigious prize – that’s bestowed on outstanding cadets who manage to complete every course, discipline and qualification offered by St John Ambulance over a four-year period – during a special service at St Asaph Cathedral.
Callum, a former pupil of Castell Alun School in Hope, was also nominated for an honour in the Operation Ouch Awards by television channel CBBC after coming to the aid of a man he found on a roadside in Llay, by Alyn Waters Country Park, last year.
The man had fallen, causing the back of his head to become impaled on a stick. Callum kept him calm while cleaning the wounds on his hands and knees and guiding paramedics to the scene.
He said: “I managed everything at the scene and arranged for the ambulance to get there and the police. It was on the side of a busy road and I basically cleaned the wounds. The Operational Ouch Awards recognise normal people who deliver first aid in an emergency. ”
Callum was already a hero at the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham where he started working just over a month ago.
The teenager was inspired to become a care practitioner after making daily visits to Pendine’s Highfield home to see his beloved late grandmother, Glenys Roberts, 80, who lived there as she battled cancer.
He threw himself into life at the home – taking part in art lessons, chatting to residents and helping staff deliver the varied activities programme.
When a job came up soon after he turned 18, he jumped at the chance to work for the Pendine organisation he had come to know and love.
“I visited near enough every single day. I’d go in the morning and spend most of the day there. I got to know a lot of the residents and they still remember me!” he said.
“It was really great to get involved, I used to help with the art lessons and help with the other residents.
“My nan was diagnosed with cancer a few years back and she fought through that but it came back again. She stayed at the home last year, just before Covid.
“She loved the home and every time I’d get there, she would tell me what she’d been up to.
“I’ve always liked looking after the elderly. I do a lot of volunteering and community work, litter picking – I’m one of those people who like to take responsibility and care for others. My other nan recently had a fall and my uncle called me first!
“The role came up and I applied. I have seen things from the relative’s side, and now I can see how it all works on the inside, instead of just visiting.”
Meanwhile, he’s also still busy with St John Ambulance for whom he has volunteered for the past eight years.
Callum added: “I’m looking to be a paramedic and have worked my way up at St John Ambulance from corporal to sergeant which is one of the highest roles for a youth volunteer. Now that I’m 18 I’ve moved up to the adult section and am training to be a youth team leader.
“Most of my weekends are spent working for them and covering first aid at events and looking after people when they need it.”
His enthusiasm and dedication are also appreciated at Pendine Park.
Trainer Laura Shone said: “We are just so proud of him. He gives up his time for St John Ambulance Service which is really important to him and enjoys helping others. He’s only been with us a month but already he’s on the right path.
“He has a different perspective of care and sees the work in a different light because he’s been a relative. He’s so kind and gentle and genuinely cares for the residents.
“He can speak to people from any walk of life. He’s got that passion and drive and commitment for the residents. Pendine Park will be a great foundation for him and it already feels like he’s been here for much longer.”
Highfield manager Tracey Smith said: “Achieving this award is no easy feat – Callum has invested years of time and study into realising his goals and fully deserves this recognition,” he said.
“He is proof that age has no bearing on life skills and experience and is an inspiration to all teenagers on the rewards of working hard and pursuing your dreams.
“Pendine Park is lucky to have such a talented and committed member of the team and I wish him the best of luck in his career.”
