St John Ambulance helps celebrate the London 2012 handover

On 24 August St John Ambulance helped mark the official handover of the Olympic flag from Beijing to London by raising the flag at the charity’s headquarters as well as caring for those enjoying celebratory parties.

Raising the flag with pride

The symbolic handover at the closing ceremony in Beijing signifies the official preparation for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games. To mark the occasion, a special flag was raised simultaneously on official buildings all over the UK.

As the country’s leading first aid charity, assisting sporting events throughout the nation, St John Ambulance was delighted to be given one of the flags to raise.

The flag was first paraded at the headquarters of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell and then officially raised at the headquarters of London’s St John Ambulance in York Street by the Prior of England and the Islands, Sir Brian Jenkins, assisted by the Deputy National Cadet of the Year, Ellen Poniatowska.

Helping Olympic partygoers have fun

To celebrate the handover a party was also held in the Mall and St John Ambulance provided medical cover there as well as at the numerous other events across the country. 

In the Mall, three treatment centres, foot, cycle and motor cycle patrols and an ambulance point were established and doctors, nurses, paramedics and first aiders were on hand to ensure that the tens of thousands of spectators were well cared for.

Harry Dymond, Chief Commissioner Operations, visited the members on duty in the Mall before taking part in the flag raising. Harry said: ‘The handover was a special moment and St John Ambulance was proud to be there to make sure everyone was well looked after on this important day.

‘We always seek to maintain our high reputation in providing excellent quality event medical care. This event was covered with professionalism and there is no doubt that we are well prepared for our part in all large future events.’

St John Ambulance, London District, sent four observers to Beijing. Ann Cable, Commissioner for the charity in the capital, said: ‘Visiting Beijing and observing the operation there was a great experience and a very worthwhile trip. We learnt a lot that we hope to put into practise for future events.’

Seamus Kelly, Deputy Chief Commissioner (Olympics), will be heading to the Paralympic Games in Beijing as part of the official observers team in three weeks time.  Seamus said: ‘It is a great honour to be part of the official observer team and I am sure it will be highly beneficial.’