‘CRIKEY!’ blurted a surprised William ‘Bill’ Castelow upon hearing the news he has been nominated for volunteer of the year in the Flybe Pride in Mann Awards.
The Ballaugh man was nominated for his work with St John Ambulance, but it transpires his voluntary reach extends much further; Bill is community first responder and a member of the coast guard.
The nomination came from St John Ambulance cadets James Desmond and Lauren Stoutt. James, 18, from Bride, said: ‘He’s quite inspirational, he made me want to do more, because of the amount he fits in. He’s the volunteer that never says no!’
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/community/pride-in-mann|Click here to see the other nominees}.
Bill, 53, initially became involved with St John Ambulance through his son, who joined as a cadet.
‘Then it snowballed over the last seven or eight years,’ said Bill. ‘Now I’m responsible for the smooth running of the charity for all the 200 plus cadets and badgers we have on the island.’
He believes in the opportunities the training can provide to young people, encouraging potential doctors and nurses to consider medical careers. He has been a driving force behind organising walks and camps to get the kids out and about, because, as he puts in, ‘there are only so many times they can put on a bandage!’
He still caries out St John Ambulance duties for events such as this years TT, the kind of surroundings that mean Bill has witnessed a number of dramatic incidents.
‘You do see things, like crashes, that make you realise how important it is that we are there,’ said Bill.
The administrative role he carries out for St John is different to the coastguard, where he trains once every two weeks and is on call for emergencies. He started seven years ago, as way of giving something back to the community he had moved to from the UK.
‘It’s nice being told what to do, not planning and just being part of the team,’ said Bill. ‘And it all keeps me active.’
It’s hard to imagine Bill has time for a day job, but he does- as a maintenance engineer at Pulrose power station.
Given all of his extra-curricular activities are voluntary, how does he fit it in?
Bill laughed: ‘I have a very understanding wife! It can be hard, but if you’re organised and have a good team splitting the workload, it makes it easier.’
James had the last word: ‘He looks out for everyone, and tries his best with everything. His involvement makes other people want to be involved. He’s an excellent role model.’
Nominations for this year’s Pride in Mann awards have now closed.
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/community/pride-in-mann|Click here to see the other nominees}.