HOURS of free time volunteering for St John’s Ambulance has paid off for an Ammanford A level student; she’s just been named the best cadet in Wales.

Ysgol Dyffryn Amman student Georgia Mills won the title on Sunday following a gruelling weekend of challenges- including a ten minute presentation- and says she is still in shock at winning the prestigious award.

“I thought I was hearing things when the announcement came. I’d made a mental list of who I thought would win and I couldn’t believe it when my name was called,” says 17-year-old Georgia.

Georgia joined St John’s Carmarthen youth division two years ago as a way to add to her CV in preparation for her aim of studying to become a doctor.

“I was looking to add things that would help me gain a place at Cardiff University. I’d already done some volunteering and joining school groups and wanted to do something that was medical and St John’s was perfect,” explains Georgia, who lives in Wern Ddu with parents Karen and Stewart, sister Jasmine 15 and brother Josh, who’s 10.

“At first it was doing something for my CV but after a month or so I realised I was doing it because I loved it and I’d made some great friends. It also really changed me. I was quite shy before I started but it’s given me so much confidence.”

Georgia quickly found herself advancing in the youth section, which is based in Carmarthen, and is now a corporal.

She’s volunteered at several events there and also on attachment to the Ammanford senior branch, helping out at recent events such as Gwyl Y Twrch Trwyth Boar Festival and fireworks night.

After being nominated to take part in the search for the National Youth wards for St John’s Wales, Georgia first won the Dyfed heats before heading to Cardiff last Saturday to begin the competition for the Welsh title.

“It was a full-on weekend, I had to do an interview, compete in challenges such as debating and problem solving,” Says Georgia who also had demonstrate her first aid skills during a test.

“There was also an interview with the judging panel and all candidates had to prepare and do a ten minute presentation. That was like’s Dragon’s Den- really scary.

“Some of the cadets competing had been involved since they were five or six years old so I really didn’t think I had a chance.”

Being cadet of the year means that Georgia will now have a year of activity ahead of her, including a visit to Buckingham Palace in March to meet Princess Anne and will also march in London’s Remembrance Day parade.

She will also have to take on a mission for the year, which Georgia hopes to use to encourage vulnerable children to join St John’s.

“It’s going to be a busy year but as yet it hasn’t really sunk in,” adds Georgia, who is studying biology, chemistry, maths and geology.

“I don’t have much spare time but somehow I still manage to fit it all in.”

If you would like to find out more about the cadet programme at St John’s, visit stjohnwales.org.uk/youth