Justin Tomlinson MP has pledged his support to the Royal Life Saving Society, 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 RLSS UK works tirelessly to promote drowning prevention messages and deliver water safety education nationally, as well as offering a range of awards and programmes that teach lifesaving skills to all ages. The support it has received for the pledge will go towards its aim of getting water safety education on the National Curriculum and in all schools.
CPR workshops and water safety advice sessions were held throughout the afternoon and Justin 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- year olds-in the UK'.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "This campaign has my full support, working on my ongoing campaign to promote more general Emergency Life Saving skills. These small, but essential steps could make a real difference. I have long pushed for the teaching of ELS skills and I know that campaigns like this can only be a positive force in educating people not only about the importance of life-saving skills but the vital work undertaken by RLSS 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 Justin 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."
