TWO teams of young first aiders from Selby are celebrating after they finished in first and second place in a first aid competition at a charity’s Thirsk HQ recently.

St John Ambulance Cadets Faith O’Donnell-Stokes,16 and Jake Barker, 16, won the District First Aid Competition and Ryan Adams, 17 and Chris Brown 16, came second in the district wide competition.

The teams had to tackle two scenarios where they had to put their first aid skills into action dealing with seizures, fractures, choking and epilepsy.

Now the four will go forward to the Regional First Aid competition in September competing for a place in national finals later this year.

Both winning teenagers are also amongst the first in the region to complete a Peer Educator course, a new programme run by the charity which teaches young people to deliver first aid training in their community.

Faith, from Hambleton near Selby joined the charity aged 10 and has been helping with the young Badgers since 2012. She has already used her first aid skills to help her brother when he cut his head on a scooter and she had to stem the bleed.

Teammate Jake from Barlby joined the charity aged 11 and was named Selby Cadet of the Year 2013-2014. A student at Barlby High School, Jake recently completed his Grand Prior – a four stage award scheme including bronze, silver, gold and Grand Prior badges covering 24 subjects which takes a considerable amount of commitment to complete.

Jake said: "I have gained a lot of confidence through St John Ambulance and now I’ve started training first aid, which I never thought would happen. I’m delighted to be going forward to the national finals to represent my District."

Anyone wanting to find out more about St John Ambulance or to join as a volunteer, should call 08700 10 49 50 or visit www.sja.org.uk/youth