Marian Downing, who has been a St John Wales volunteer for over 40 years, has received her British Empire Medal from the HM Lord Lieutenant for South Glamorgan. Mrs Downing was awarded the medal in the New Years Honours List 2014 for services to St. John Wales.

As a dedicated member of St John Wales, Mrs Downing started an adult and cadet division in the Canton/Riverside area of Cardiff in 1982, taking on the role of Divisional Officer in Charge.  Alongside caring her young family and embarking on a nursing career, Mrs Downing managed to expand the division to include a Badger Sett. Initially the Division met at a Health Centre in Cardiff, but growing numbers saw the division move to St David's Hospital, Cardiff where they still meet today.

Mrs Downing has continued to lead by example with a strong work ethic in a long standing career as a nurse, despite never learning to drive and attending a wide variety of events via public transport. The youth members are a credit to the Division and wider community. Marian's guiding influence has helped youth members to participate fully in the opportunities available, with several Cadets selected to attend overseas trips to India and Zambia. A number of Cadets have become 'Cadet of the Year' and several have completed their Grand Prior Awards.  

Over the years Marian has completed in excess of 10,000 hours of voluntary service to the community.  

Marian stood down as Officer in Charge in February 2013.  Since then she has retained her links with the Division by supporting the new DOIC. 

We'd like to give Marian the biggest congratulations and thank her for all of the work she has done for St John Wales. She is an asset and we are honoured to have had her volunteer with us.