Recruitment
“Uncle Bob has had a lifetime on the railway property board and a has put so much back as a first Aider on the railway and for St. Johns Ambulance.
He now spends many hours in his retirement teaching First Aid.
He is a modest man I think he would be very humbled by the many staff active and retired who think so much of him.
Please be aware As Bob is retired I have filled the form in the only way I can. He has done so much for the railway for over 50 years.
Please accept my nomination on behalf of the railway.“
“I would like to nominate Robert Slater for the Lifetime Achievement Award as he has truly spent a lifetime in the service of the railway and its people.
I have known Bob for over 12 years, when we met he had already retired from a long and productive first career at British Railways Property Board, and was well into his second which is dedicated to training first aid volunteers in the rail industry; a natural progression from having successfully represented BR in first aid competitions whilst in their employ.
His unique training style led me and others, to a point we never imagined we would achieve; representing our own companies in first aid competitions in front of large audiences and acquitting ourselves well. He was correct when he said that whilst dealing with actors in make up is not as stressful as dealing with real casualties it is the second best thing for gaining experience.
His influence extends further than his own immediate personal involvement. We all go back to our workplaces, and out into the world at large confident and knowledgeable which has led to very many passengers and colleagues receiving timely and effective help at our hands.
His commitment led to his very speedy return to classroom shortly after suffering a myocardial infarction whilst training a new class. His sudden incapacity provided a practical experience for them which we all hope is never repeated, and another anecdote for him to add to his lifetime of experiences which he uses to enrich his lectures.
Bob has made, and continues to make, a very valuable contribution to the Rail Industry throughout his long and varied career, and is respected and viewed affectionately by colleagues and students alike,“
“Bob Slater works for RIFAA and I believe that his major contribution to training first aid volunteers, and imparting the knowledge that could help save lives within the rail industry, deserves to be recognised.
I understand Bob only took up teaching first aid upon retirement, after a long career at British Rail.
His dedication to promoting first aid and thus keeping railway staff, and passengers, safe is unmistakeable. In the eight years I have attended his classes he has hardly ever missed one, despite his more mature years and despite, until recently, having to carry large & heavy practice equipment on his journeys into London.
Bob’s classes are fun and inclusive, but always informative. He imparts his knowledge lightly but his wealth of first aid experience, in both theory and practice, shines through. He is enthusiastic and inspiring and makes you want to do your best for him as well as for yourself.
I am sure many people in the industry have benefitted from attending his classes and many, many more have, in turn, benefitted from receiving first aid from those he has taught.
To have dedicated so much of his post-railway career retirement to teaching such important life-saving skills means that Bob has spent a lifetime serving the railway industry and I cannot think of anyone better suited to receive a lifetime achievement award.“
“A great do again on Saturday night! You can be very pleased with the way it turned out - everyone seemed to have a really good time.”
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