A POPULAR volunteer who gave 30 years' of service to St John Ambulance has passed away.

Derick Lund trained thousands of adults and children in Blackburn in how to give the ‘kiss of life’ and save lives in his volunteer position with the first aid charity.

The-father-of-two was born in Silsden, Yorkshire and served in the RAF during the war before moving to Blackburn in 1946 to open a cake shop in Bank Top.

His delicately decorated cakes won various medals in the 10 years that he spent as a master baker and confectioner before he began work at QEGs as a domestic bursar.

Mr Lund, 92, began volunteering for The Order of St John and was awarded the high honour of commander of St John in 1978 and appointed Area Commissioner and Assistant County Director in 1980.

Locally, Mr Lund was known as ‘Mr St. John’ and after retirement, he became president of the Rotary Club of Blackburn Borough and part of the congregation at St Francis, Cherry Tree.

Roy Parker, church warden at St Francis, said: “The first time I needed some safety training, he was one of the trainers.

“He trained so many people in the area that it’s impossible to say how many lives he has saved just by passing on his knowledge.

“He and his wife, Phyllis, who died some years ago, were both volunteers at St John’s Ambulance and gave up their time to help others.

“He was a great man and his impact on the community will always be remembered.”

Ellie Langford, unit manager for St John Ambulance in Blackburn with Darwen, said: “It is with great sadness that we learned that Mr Lund had passed away.

“He was a volunteer for many, many years with St John Ambulance and worked tirelessly for the organisation in the Blackburn with Darwen area.

“The work and support of both him and his late wife were incredibly valued and they both helped the charity in so many ways. Our thoughts are with Mr Lund’s family and friends at this sad time.”