SKYE BEATS ALL-COMERS TO TRIUMPH

try against one another in a series of challenging tasks.

And after coming out on top, Skye said she was ‘thrilled’ and urged others to get involved and sign-up.

She said: “Literally don’t think about it and get involved.

“A lot of my best friends did it, they would come back and talk about all the things they were doing and it made me jealous.

“There’s no way to describe how it feels when you are involved and doing all these amazing things and developing such key skills.

“I never know what I will be doing next week which is the beauty of it, and I’m really looking forward to representing all the young people in my region this year.”

Designed to push cadets to the limits, the Cadet of the Year contest focused on a range of subjects such as communication, teamwork, presentation, and social skills.

Aged 10 to 17, cadets learn first aid and a range of impor- tant life skills as they work towards their Grand Prior award - the highest a cadet can achieve.

St John Ambulance has almost 18,000 young participants, and older cadets put their first aid and communication skills into practice through teaching or working at events.

Simon Dunn, regional directo, said: “First aid is an important skill for people of all ages to learn.

“Young people, like Skye, are great advocates of this message. St John Ambulance also provides young people with tremendous opportunities to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills in other areas and to be part of their local community.

“Skye demonstrated tremendous dedication and enthusiasm over the course of the selection weekend and we are delighted that she is representing young people who learn first aid, in the North.”

Skye, a sixth-form student at Cardinal Hume Catholic School, is hoping to study adult nursing at university.

But the award-winning cadet is looking to remain at her unit as a youth leader.