ST JOHN Ambulance cadets from York and North Yorkshire are set to meet The Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace.

At the same time, the Evening Press Life Savers campaign to buy the organisation a new £45,000 Crusader ambulance to be used in the York area has got off to a great start.

The cadets have been picked to meet Princess Anne, who is the commandant-in-chief of St John Ambulance, after being recognised for their hard work and dedication. Rose Stephenson, 16, from Acomb, York, will attend the reception in her official role as North Yorkshire and Teesside County Cadet of the Year.

James Parkes, 17, from Ripon, will also meet the princess after earning the prestigious St John Ambulance Grand Prior Award - the highest achievement a St John cadet can obtain, which takes at least three years to complete.

Baroness Emerton, chief commander of St John Ambulance, said: "This reception acts as a formal recognition of the tremendous determination, knowledge and skill that these cadets and others from across the country have shown in serving St John Ambulance and their local community."

The ambulance at the centre of the appeal costs just over £42,000 and the extra £3,000 will pay for a state-of-the-art stretcher, an air conditioning system to help people suffering from heat exhaustion, and an automatic defibrillator.

The appeal has been given a kick-start with an anonymous £1,000 donation.

If you would like to join in the fundraising activity and have ideas to raise money, or want to tell your story of how St John Ambulance helped you, e-mail emma.harrison@ycp.co.uk or contact the Evening Press newsroom on 01904 653051 ext 314.

Cheques for the appeal should be made payable to St John Ambulance Appeal, c/o David Sutton, St John Ambulance, Lumley Close, Thirsk Industrial Park, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3TD, or drop them into the Evening Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

Updated: 11:44 Monday, March 04, 2002