DANIELLE Whiting loves helping ill people…and young people…and disabled people.The 17-year-old is not just a volunteer for one organisation, but for three.
DANIELLE Whiting loves helping ill people…and young people…and disabled people.
The 17-year-old is not just a volunteer for one organisation, but for three.
Miss Whiting, of Worsley Close, in the Chantry area of Ipswich, is a St John Ambulance volunteer, a young leader with a Brownie group and helps out at Heathside Special School.
She said: “I don't mind giving up my time because I enjoy it so much.
“I want to be doing something worthwhile when I'm not at sixth form. I like to be busy all the time.
“I do find that generally young people are all grouped together with a bad reputation, but I just ignore it.”
Danielle has been a member of St John for four years.
She joined because she wanted to become a volunteer and because she wants to train to be a doctor and thought the skills would help.
She is currently studying chemistry, biology, maths and further maths at St Albans sixth form and is hoping to go to Oxford University next September.
She said: “I wrote on my personal statement that I want to carrying on volunteering when I go to university.”
At St John, she attends meetings each Friday night and helps in the community at events including the Suffolk Show and sport matches.
She has just completed 200 hours of community work.
Richard Cracknell, principle youth officer at St John, said: “Danielle is a great example of a young person who is keen to play a positive role in her community, to be of service to others and to enhance her own skills and life experiences.
"St John Ambulance Suffolk is really fortunate to have a thriving youth programme, with groups of Badgers and Cadets operating around the county at regional units.
"Through these groups, we are constantly seeing young people emerge into individuals who have more confidence, improved co-operation skills and self-awareness - not to mention first aid skills which might well help to save someone's life."
Danielle has helped at her local Brownie group for six years, and has helped once a fortnight at Heathside with swimming lessons for three years.
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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet in the 19th century>
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