SUFFERING ill health affects people in different ways, some just want to go to bed and recover, while others are determined to battle on.

One thing that few are able to do when they feel off-colour, is to go out saving lives.

But that's exactly what veteran St John Ambulance worker Joyce Hesketh has been doing for 18 years - despite the collapse of one of her kidneys, and part failure of another.

Joyce, 54, of Doodstone Drive, Lostock Hall, has given up hours of her time over the years, helping accident and emergency victims at events all over the county.

She has even saved two people's lives, including a motorcyclist scrambler who stopped breathing in the ambulance.

But Joyce insists she's nothing special and even claims that working for St John has been a source of inspiration.

Joyce suffered kidney failure years ago when one of her organs died, but it wasn't until the other one collapsed as well that the problem came to light.

"I have been on dialysis, been in and out of hospital five times this year. I might have to have a transplant eventually," she explained cheerfully.

"But I'm all right now," she insisted. "I was given an angioplasty at Blackpool Victoria Hospital where they insert a balloon in the kidney.

"Then, I was treated at the Royal Preston where I was given an angiogram, where a metal tube was inserted and that seems to have done the trick."

Joyce is back up and running, though you would believe that she only has 20 per cent of kidney function.

"I'm fine now, I'm just on aspirins" she laughs: "St John gives me something to do and it stops me moping about."

Joyce is going down to London today to receive a long service award for 18 years of dedication to first aid.

She joined the Penwortham and Hutton Division in 1979 and rose to the rank of Divisional Superintendent in 1990. She is currently the County Personal Training Adviser.

Sandra Ronson, spokesperson for St John, said: "Mrs Hesketh is a very hard working and popular member of St John Ambulance in Lancashire who justly deserves this honour."

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