THIRTY eight years of dedication to St John's Ambulance have earned Elizabeth Stout a British Empire Medal in the Queen's New Year's Honours.

Elizabeth, from Birkenhead, joined St John Ambulance Cornwall in 1981 and concentrated her efforts in the organisation's youth movement.

Her excellent work in Cornwall was rewarded by admission to the Order of St John.

She returned to the North West in 2000 and transferred to St John Ambulance Cheshire, where she rose to the challenges of Principal youth officer and finally County Commissioner Youth, roles she executed with passion and commendable efficiency.

Don Fitzroy Smith from St John Ambulance said: "She has contributed so much to the communities where she has worked with St John Ambulance, in Cornwall and Cheshire, but also Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

"She is totally committed to everything in St John and is in every way an exemplar and inspiration to us all.

"Her BEM award is very well deserved.

"In these senior roles she was a most effective and competent member of both the County Management Board and St John Council.

"Since 2012, she has been a committed member of the County Priory Group (CPG), the county Honours and Awards group, a prominant organiser of the Carol Service, a key member of the annual county prize and awards team and a safeguarding champion.

"She initiated the county trophy silverware audit and valuation, which has led to redeployment of unused cups for new purposes.

"She also teachs frequently, e.g. the full initial training syllabus to new recruits, safeguarding and first aid, which takes her far and wide over the region; she leads the organisation of funeral support for previous members; picks and coaches the honour guard for ceremonial events and is a faithful supporter of the CPG at the Chester annual organ transplant event.

"She is a key member organising Cadet enrollments and leads her local St John Fellowship group.

"She is ubiquitous, caring, supportive, an adviser, a decision maker and is always the first to volunteer for anything, so her time is always well filled, leaving little for herself.

"Outside St John, she also does voluntary work every week with AgeUK.

"She is in every way an exemplar and inspiration to us all."

On her British Empire Medal, Elizabeth said: "I was at the front door as the postman came so I opened the letter right away.

"To say I was surprised would be an understatement but I'm certainly delighted.

"It has been a privilege to work with so many fabulous volunteers over the years and I've enjoyed giving them the support they need and deserve."