Family gives all for St John

The family of Brendon Caley, 8, (from left) Nigel Caley, Bob McNab, Karleen Caley and Thomas Caley, 6, are all involved with St John. Photo / Ben Fraser

For 8-year-old Brendon Caley volunteering for a worthy cause is something that runs in the family.

The St Mary's pupil and his younger brother Thomas, 6, are the third generation of their family to get involved with St John Ambulance Rotorua.

Together the family have contributed more than 80 years of service to the cause, which is at the frontline of medical response and provides first aid training, event medical services alarms and a variety of community programmes.

The family's involvement began in 1969, when Bob McNab, Brendon and Thomas' grandfather, decided to join as a volunteer. Looking back at his decision, Mr McNab said he was scared into it by a friend.

"He made me scared that if I came across a road accident, I wouldn't know what to do, so I thought very well and did a first aid course and became a volunteer, just like that."

For the last 45 years he has had a number of roles with St John, including roles as a volunteer ambulance officer and area committee member. In recognition of his service he was made an Officer in the Order of St John. In July this year, Mr McNab stepped down as a committee member but continues to be a St John ambassador. Mr McNab said he was proud of his daughter Karleen, her husband Nigel Caley and Brendon and Thomas, the latter of which are St John members via its youth programme. "It's wonderful to see my grandchildren come through [St John] now."

Mrs Caley, a St John emergency medical technician, joined St John in 1991, where she met her husband a few years later, who also joined as a volunteer. Mr Caley now works as a intensive care paramedic and said he couldn't imagine doing anything else. "There's such a variety, no two days are the same and there's a great sense of camaraderie and unity. It's good to be able to help the community and St John are fantastic at doing exactly that."

Mr Caley admitted having three generations of St John's volunteers in one family was not something you heard of every day. "I think it's pretty unique to have three generations in one family, especially all in Rotorua."

With today marking the International Day of the Volunteer, Mr Caley said he hoped his family could inspire others to get involved with St John. "St John is always on the lookout for volunteers, in all kinds of areas, so we would definitely encourage people to get involved and support us."

For more information visit www.stjohn.org.nz.