Chuffed with award

Loric Collins was presented with a St Johns Ambulance Commanders Award for outstanding support and commitment to St Johns Ambulance at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

Loric Collins, from Poundbury in Dorchester, is the site safety officer for the Great Dorset Steam Fair and has been involved with the show for as long as he can remember. His first shows were spent volunteering and helping the Miles family from Charminster with their steam engine. He then progressed to site safety officer through his extensive knowledge on engine and site safety.

St Johns Ambulance County Commissioner David Knobs, who presented the rare award, said; “Loric’s contribution to St Johns Ambulance over the years has been outstanding. I’ve been working for St Johns Ambulance for 53 years and I’ve only ever known of one of these awards being given out before.

“Loric couldn’t be more deserving of this award. He is absolutely priceless. The Great Dorset Steam Fair is the largest public duty that St Johns Ambulance takes on so it’s a huge responsibility. It is such a brilliantly organised event and there’s no shortage of help. We have around twenty-five volunteers helping per day at the fair who we’d also like to say thank you to.”

On being presented with the award, Loric said; “This is such a surprise and I’m really overwhelmed. I have the utmost respect for St Johns Ambulance and what they do at the Steam Fair so I like to help them wherever I can. This award really means a lot so thank you to all involved”.

The role of site safety officer is a 24-hour job during the show and Loric also assists show managers year round. Throughout the show he negotiates with St Johns on site and assists them in their work offering his time and support, which is supplementary to his role.