Iceland boss thanks Bristol St John volunteers for helping to save his life at London Marathon

Two St John Ambulance volunteers from Keynsham All Service Unit were among the first responders when the executive chair of Iceland Foods suffered from a heatstroke at London Marathon.

As Richard Walker was approaching the finish line, the demands of the endurance event took a toll on his body and he collapsed with heatstroke - caused when the brain fails to regulate the body’s temperature and the body is unable to cooldown - and a body temperature exceeding 41 degrees Celsius.

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A group of St John Ambulance volunteers, including 17-year-olds Becky James and Matthew Cleave from the Keynsham All Service Unit, leapt into action at this crucial moment. Their timely and efficient response was instrumental in preventing what could have been a tragic outcome.

A spokesperson for St John Ambulance shared: “We could not be prouder of the important work our volunteers do. Seeing Richard fit and well is a stark reminder of the lifesaving impact of first aid. Our volunteers, including our dedicated Cadets, embody the spirit of community and compassion that is at the heart of St John Ambulance.”

For more information about St John Ambulance’s first aid training, first aid advice or how you can donate to help the charity continue its lifesaving work in England visit www.sja.org.uk.