A Methven Hato Hone St John hero has earned New Zealand a prestigious award - one of few awards hand-signed by the King.

Methven volunteer youth leader Simon O’Reilly received the Sovereign’s Award over the weekend.

He’d earned the award last year, but had it formally presented to him by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro in Hamilton’s Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary over the weekend.

The Sovereign’s Award is the highest honour for St John youth internationally and is the only award to be signed personally by the Sovereign Head of the Order - in O’Reilly’s case, that was King Charles III.

O’Reilly is the first person to receive the award in New Zealand.

It functions similarly to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary award, O’Reilly said.

“You have to do three things to achieve the award; create a project that is of benefit to yourself, personally, to the community, and to St John itself,” he said.

“You bring together a one-page document that says what you plan on doing.”

Participants, once approved, get between 18 months and three years to complete their project.

O’Reilly’s project, the Kaiako podcast, was an audio series where leaders in the St John youth programme shared their experiences and advice.

O’Reilly said he chose a podcast as he’d wanted to do something technical and hands-on.

“From first engaging with someone, to then recording it, finally editing it, and putting it out there for the world to see.”

“I guess I’m unique in the sense that my life entirely revolves around St John, ‘cause I work for them.”

O’Reilly began his journey with St John as a cadet in 2010. After studying paramedicine through the Auckland University of Technology, he’s joined the St John force full-time.

“When I’m not at work, I’m with St John Youth.

“Now I’ve got to find my next challenge to work on.”

The Kaiako podcast consists of 13 episodes, and is still up on Spotify for future St John leaders to tune into.

The Sovereign’s Award was created in 2014 to recognise outstanding achievements for 16-25-year-olds within the organisation.

By Anisha Satya