Children and teenagers are being urged to become the next generation of lifesavers by volunteering for the nation’s leading first aid charity.

Organisers of the St John Ambulance Badgers and Cadets in Bungay, Saxmundham and Stowmarket are encouraging youngsters in the area to sign up.

Specific opportunities exist in each of the three units, with Bungay looking to recruit new Cadets, and Saxmundham and Stowmarket looking forward to welcoming new Badgers and Cadets.

Badgers are the youngest St John Ambulance volunteers, aged between five and 10, and work towards completing their Super Badger Award, which includes learning first aid as well as completing 12 subjects, ranging from ‘creative and active’, to ‘healthy and caring’.

The programme has been developed to enable young people to learn important life skills in a fun and safe environment.

Cadets, aged between 10 and 17, learn the skills needed to save a life, and are guided by youth leaders through games and activities to work towards their Grand Prior Award - the highest qualification that can be attained by a St John Ambulance Cadet.

Martin Robbins, district youth officer for St John Ambulance in Suffolk, said: “Our younger volunteers are a vital part of the organisation and often go on to volunteer with St John Ambulance into their adult life.

“We really hope that young people living near the three units step forward and consider joining St John Ambulance.

“Our Cadets and Badgers regularly show that they have what it takes to save a life and the opportunities to get involved and learn not only first aid but also a whole range of other skills are huge.

“We’re ready to welcome the next generation of first aiders and look forward to teaching them these essential skills so that they can potentially be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”

The parents of children and teenagers from the local area who are interested in joining are welcome to contact Mr Robbins to talk about opportunities with the charity.

For more information about joining any of the units, email martin.robbins@sja.org.uk.

For information about the work of St John Ambulance, go to sja.org.uk, where you can find training courses, volunteer opportunities and first aid advice.

St John Ambulance has more than 40,000 volunteers who are committed to training, caring and saving lives. More than half of its members are under 25.