By Memory walk to raise awareness of water safety after tragic death of 14-year-old Kai Gardner-Pugh
A charity memory walk will take place later this month to remember Kai Gardner-Pugh and to raise awareness about the dangers of open water.
Kai sadly passed away last July after swimming at Ashby Ville nature reserve in North Lincolnshire.
Since his tragic death, North Lincolnshire Council introduced a new Public Space Protection Order meaning police have the power to force people to get out of open water if they do not listen to warnings.
Those who continue to swim in the water will face a £1,000 fine.
While there are signs dotted across the nature reserve that state that swimming, paddle boarding, and boating in the lake are prohibited, some still take the risk.
The memory walk will thus be lifeguard-themed in an attempt to raise awareness of how dangerous swimming in open water can be.
Any money raised will be donated to Above Water, a charity that educates in schools to prevent accidental drowning it also provides practicals that help people understand the danger of open water.
Poppy Johnson who has organised the walk shared her plans on Facebook, writing: “As most of you are aware of the tragic sudden death of Kai Gardener-Pugh last summer which left us all majorly in disbelief.
“To show our support a group of us are doing a sponsored walk in memory of kai and will be doing this lifeguard-themed. The theme is to spread awareness of how important the whole situation is to do with water. We are also doing a quiz to raise money for the charity (ABOVE WATER) this will take place on Thursday 4th of august at the Iron Bar at Sands Venue (Glanford Park) at 6 pm. So invite friends and family the more the merrier!
“The money which will be raised for this and the walk will be donated to the charity ABOVE WATER. This charity educates in schools to prevent accidental drowning it also provides practicals that help people understand the danger of open water. We believe that using this charity will prevent the 700 people in the UK annually who suffer from serious injuries and deaths due to them making the wrong choice around water. We find that people do not understand the severity of the risk of this happening until it is to them or a loved one.
“We really hope you can help someone by donating money every little helps we hope to see you there on the 4th! Thank You you can make a difference.”
