Two-day Drowning Prevention Week event at Horwich Leisure Centre

15 Jun 2022 11:38
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Horwich Leisure Centre is staging a free two-day event over the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June to raise awareness of the dangers of open water swimming, aimed at both children and adults.

Kicking off at 10am and finishing at 2pm on both days, the leisure centre will have a range of fun and educational activities, including a Spot the Danger competition with prizes for the winners. Centre staff are also putting on a bake sale to raise money for the charity Doing it for Dylan, which teaches water safety and supports bereaved parents who've lost a child to drowning.

Rebecca Ramsey, the founder of Doing it for Dylan, will be at the centre on both days. She'll be talking to parents and children about the dangers of open water swimming and teaching key survival skills that can help if people find themselves in difficulties while in the water.

Rebecca said:

"It's fantastic that I've been asked to be involved with this weekend. It's so important to teach the next generation water safety and how to stay safe in and around water.

"Over the weekend, I will be talking to parents about the tragic loss of my first-born son Dylan and hopefully giving them some advice on what they should be talking to their loved ones about to keep them safe. I will also be talking to children and guiding them on how best to stay safe in the water.

"With warm weather on the way, it's so important that people understand the dangers associated with open water. People need to be aware that each year, more lives are lost in water than through fires."

Mahendra Patel, Partnership Manager for Bolton Community Leisure, which operates the centre and four others in the town in partnership with Serco Leisure and on behalf of Bolton Council, said: "We're always keen to support Drowning Prevention Week and pleased to link up with the charity Doing it for Dylan, helping Rebecca and her team with the amazing work they do to raise awareness and support those parents affected by the tragedy of losing a child to drowning.

"I would encourage the young and old to pop down to Horwich Leisure Centre this weekend. The knowledge you pick up at this event could end up saving yours and somebody else's life. All children participating in either of the days will receive a certificate."

For more information about Horwich Leisure Centre, visit its website: https://www.boltonleisure.com/horwich-leisure-centre/

For more information about Doing it for Dylan, visit the charity's website: https://doingitfordylan.org.uk

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