STA, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to the teaching of swimming, lifesaving and survival techniques, is launching its second annual national water safety campaign next week, with a host of events and activities.

The campaign week, which runs from June 6th-10th, will involve hundreds of swim schools and schools taking part to raise awareness about the importance of water safety education.

To complement the campaign, STA has created a host of free resources for swim schools and schools to use during the week, including free water safety booklets, activity sheets, lesson plans, assembly videos, posters, and certificates – and lots more.

Richard Timms, STA’s President, said: Enjoying water – whether at a beach or in a swimming pool on holiday or taking a relaxing walk along a canal or river – is one of life’s pleasures but it’s important that people of all ages understand how to be safe in and around water.

The focus of our campaign is to ensure that as many people as possible are educated about the potential dangers of waterways because one drowning is too many.

Did you know? More people drowned in the UK last year than died in a fire-related dwelling accident and drowning is the third highest cause of accidental death of children in the UK.

As part of the water safety week campaign, STA has produced an emotional video, which features four families whose loved ones have drowned.

It includes Beckie Ramsay, who has been campaigning for water safety education since her 13-year old son, Dylan drowned in the summer of 2011 after jumping into the water at Hill Top Quarry, near Chorley, Lancashire.

She said: If we can save just one more life and prevent more families going through what we have, it will be worth it.

The video also features the heart-breaking stories of Cameron Gosling, who drowned on July 5th, 2014, aged 14; James Goodship, who was 16 when he drowned on June 3, 2014; and David Layfield, who drowned 11 years ago, aged 13.

The families said they wanted to tell their stories so that parents understand the importance of teaching children how to be safe in and around the water. The full video will be officially released on 6th June, but in the meantime check out the teaser below.

Richard said with 338 water-related deaths recorded in the UK alone in 2014* – with a huge rise in drowning in June, July and August – and thousands more suffering because of near-drowning, it is vital that we continue to drive home the message about keeping safe in and around water.

The latest statistics show that more people drowned in the UK than died in a fire-related dwelling accident or drink-driving incident, and drowning is the third highest cause of accidental death of children in the UK, so it is absolutely vital that we focus strongly on our safety campaign, he said.

We’ve more schools and swim schools taking part in the week, which is great news. We are also encouraging them to pledge their support on social media and use the hashtag #WaterSafetyPledge so that we reach as many people as possible.

Pledge your support by downloading our #WaterSafetyPledge board here and post with a photo or video on social media!

Download your #WaterSafetyPledge board

* Source: National Water Safety Forum