A TWELVE-year-old member of Malvern's St John Ambulance put his first aid training to good use when his father suffered a stroke.

Thomas Coombes proved his mettle when his father Peter suffered the cerebral haemorrhage in July last year

And to mark his initiative, Thomas Coombes has been named a St John Young Achiever and invited to St James's Palace in London, where he met Princess Anne.

Young Thomas swing into action when his father has the stroke. He recognised the symptoms immediately, thanks to his training with the cadets, alerted his mother and helped as the ambulance took his father to hospital.

He then assisted medical staff at the hospital by providing a detailed account of what had happened to his father.

Mr Coombes said: “Thomas really showed us how he could cope in an emergency and he really blew us away by remaining so calm throughout. Thomas’s quick thinking meant that we got help a lot quicker than we expected and, as a result, my recovery was quicker. He is a very special young man and we are very proud of him.”

Thomas, a pupils at Dyson Perrins CE Academy was among more than a hundred young people invited to the reception to acknowledge their hard work and commitment to the charity.

Each young person met Princess Anne, who is the Commandant in Chief, Youth, for St John Ambulance, to discuss their experiences.

Thomas said: “I have learned first aid for the last six years and last year put my skills to the biggest test by helping my dad. My day at the palace was amazing - especially the weapons room. There was so much to see and it will be a day I’ll always remember.”

Wendy Human of St John Ambulance said: “Thomas has been an asset to his local community all year round and fully deserved to be rewarded with this invitation.

"The reception is a great way for us to recognise the commitment and outstanding work of these young people.

"They have all proven themselves to be outstanding individuals and we hope that the opportunity to meet Her Royal Highness will have been a special and memorable experience for them.

The Malvern branch of the cadets meets every Monday from 6.30pm to 8pm at the St John Ambulance Hall, Portland Road.