VALE of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns has signed up to support the UK’s drowning prevention charity in its work to reduce drowning and provide water safety education and lifesaving awards across the UK and Ireland.

The Vale MP has been in regular contact with a local family who suffered a tragic loss some years ago, who are campaigning for improved safety at local swimming pools and along the coast.

Representatives from The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) made the trip to Parliament ahead of its annual national campaign, Drowning prevention Week.

CPR workshops and water safety advice sessions were held throughout the afternoon and Alun Cairns MP was invited to find out more about the charity and it’s work, as well as sign up and ‘pledge to support the delivery of water safety education to all under 18 years old in the UK’.

RLSS UK President, Peter Moyes, said: “Tragically, more than 30 people drowned in just seven weeks during last summer’s heatwave. Around 400 people accidentally drown in the UK every year - one every 20 hours - and thousands more have near drowning experiences.

“These deaths could have been avoided and the society and its volunteers work tirelessly all year round to provide water safety education as well as lifesaving courses for all ages to try and reduce this figure and save lives.

“We were overwhelmed with the support offered by MPs during our session and can’t thank Alun Cairns MP enough for pledging to help us in our efforts, not only during Drowning Prevention Week but all year round, especially to get water safety education taught in all schools.”

Alun said:

“I particularly wanted to support this event as I have been involved with a constituent who sadly lost her young son in a drowning accident some years ago.

Not only do the RLSS provide a free telephone counselling service but provide both primary and secondary schools resources including lesson plans, interactive games, information sheets that can be used in schools. They can be found:

http://drowningpreventionweek.org.uk/schools/primary-schools/

http://drowningpreventionweek.org.uk/schools/secondary-schools/

For more information on the RLSS UK, Drowning Prevention Week 2014, water safety advice or details on lifesaving courses suitable for children and adults -

visit www.rlss.org.uk

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Visit our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/RLSSUK