CEMEX UK support for River and Sea Sense
Company providing support for mother’s quest to take water safety message nationwide
A MOTHER whose son drowned 10 years ago at Lligwy Falls, near Capel Curig, North Wales, aims to take her water safety message across the UK with the support of CEMEX UK.
Debbie Turnbull, who set up the charity RASS (River and Sea Sense), lives close to one of CEMEX’s largest quarries, Halkyn in Flintshire, and has been working with the company to organize and implement a series of local assemblies, lessons and events on water safety. To date more than 3,000 school children have taken part.
Rob Doody, aggregates operations director at CEMEX UK, commented: ‘I would like to thank Debbie for the work she has done in raising awareness of water safety. Many quarries have areas of water that can pose real dangers due to the depth and the temperature of the water, and they are very tempting particularly in hot weather.
‘We are really pleased with the progress so far and look forward to working with Debbie in 2017. The campaign to improve our young people’s awareness of the dangers of water must continue until we have zero incidents in the UK.’
Over the past 10 years, Debbie Turnbull (pictured) has addressed more than 175,000 young people in schools and youth groups, and put on numerous events to raise awareness of the dangers of open water throughout North Wales and other parts of the UK.
During her talks she relates the powerful story of how her son lost his life to drowning and how young people can stay safe around water.
According to the National Water Safety Forum, on average around 400 people accidently drown each year, with almost two thirds of these fatalities occurring in inland waters such as quarries, rivers and lakes.
Debbie Turnbull commented: ‘The support from CEMEX is a dream come true. I now know that I can grow my work and send out my safety message to even more young people in 2017. In addition, I can undertake extra training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). I truly believe the loss of my son was not in vain.’
As well as working with CEMEX UK, Debbie has worked closely with the emergency services and this year was invited to be an ambassador for the RNLI for the launch of its Swim Safe campaign in North Wales.
