A BARRY man is heading into his 75th year – with an MBE to acknowledge a life of volunteering that began 65 years ago!
Gerry Adams told the Glamorgan Star: “I started as a 10-year-old cadet with the St John Ambulance Brigade and eventually attained the rank of Nursing Officer. During my 25 years with the Brigade, we set up a Surf Life Saving Division.
“There was a funny start to this venture because 12 of us stepped forward and nine couldn’t swim!
“Under the guidance of the late Commander Charles Thomson MBE, we learnt to swim at Atlantic College and in 1966 the division was patrolling Whitmore Bay. In 1971, I was awarded the St John Bronze Medal for Valour for a free swim rescue, this is normally done by a team or lifeboat but neither were immediately available and I did what any team member would have done in the same circumstances. I also received the Serving Brother of St John and long service medals,
“During my time with the St John Ambulance Brigade, I joined the Barry Dock Lifeboat, serving 18 years on the ‘sharp end’ and 18 years as the press officer – retiring from the RNLI in 2014.
“I was awarded the RNLI Statuette for services rendered and have certificates stating that 95 lives were saved from ’shipwreck’. I also received the RNLI long service medal for 36 years.
“Before I retired from the RNLI, I became a Welsh Ambulance Service (NHS) Trust Community First Responder. I was appointed the CFR Rep for the Vale a few years ago and I aim to carry on as long as I have the mental and physical ability. I really love this ‘job’”.
Gerry also ran the Cardiff Half Marathon at the age of 65 to raise funds for the RNLI and, at the age of 70, ran the same race on behalf of the Air Wales Ambulance.
As well as his voluntary work, Gerry started training to become a nurse at Llandough Hospital. He retired at the age of 68 but kept his registration ‘live’ until 2019 which notched up 50 years!
Gerry added: “For over 40 years my wife Jill fully supported me, often at short notice and not always convenient!
“The romance with Jill started in the operating theatres at Llandough. I was her boss but I’m not sure now! She has just retired from nursing as well. We have four grown up children, Paul, Matthew, Kirsty and Rebecca.
“I have to say, if it were not for the fantastic support of my family, I would not have been able to practice such a long time as a volunteer. Believe me, being at the end of a bleep or phone alert was not always convenient to them!”
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