THE Order of Malta Ambulance Corps was founded in Galway in 1938. Since its founda- tion, many units have been set up throughout the thirty-two counties of Ireland.
It is a voluntary organisation and its main objectives are to care for the sick, elderly, and handicapped. It provides First Aid Courses for Cadets within the Order. It also provides First Aid cover at all sporting and entertainment events, etc, as required.
The Order of Malta annually travel to Lourdes, take and care for invalids there and for the duration of the pilgrimage.
Anybody from the age of 16 years and upwards can become a member and from my experience with the Order, it can be very rewarding, due to the nature of the work and the many different people one meets, and the many friend- ships that blossom from it.
The Order of Malta Cadet Corps is for the youth aged 10-16 years. Its main objectives are the physical, psychological and spiritual develop- ment of our youth. They are trained in First Aid, caring for the sick, and footdrill. They also have the opportunity of competing at regional level in first aid competitions and then if successful at All- Ireland level.
They do a lot of charitable work helping and visiting the sick and handicapped and fundraising.
I became a member of the Castlebar Unit in 1981 as a volunteer. I went on to be an instructor and later an examiner and was later commissioned as 2nd lieutenant. I have been awarded the Bronze Medal of Merit in 1986 and the Silver in 1988.
I teach first aid classes for Mayo Vocational Educational Committee to youth clubs, ladies clubs and school classes and to many other voluntary bodies. The highlight of the year is the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, where as many members as can, go and give their services to the sick there. I have gone for seven consecutive years to work with the invalids and I've found each pilgrimage to be most rewarding.
Much of the winter is spent training cadets for the competitions. Our biggest achievement was winning the International Cadet First Aid Competition.
I would strongly urge any youngster living near a unit of the Order of Malta to become a Cadet Member.