Stay savvy around water
Dear Editor, Sea Cadets – a national youth charity with 400 units across the UK – is urging people to stay safe as it launches its Water Savvy campaign.
More than 300 people drowned in the UK last year, and more suffered life-changing injuries through neardrowning. But many of these tragic incidents could be avoided through good knowledge of water safety.
Sea Cadets’ Water Savvy campaign highlights the importance of staying safe in, on and around the water, and making others aware of the dangers.
We offer water-based adventure to 14,000 young people aged 10 to 18 across the country who – along with our 9000 volunteers – undergo specialist water-safety training. But we want to spread the message further.
There are a number of things you can do to ensure you, your family and your friends stay safe. When swimming in open water, stay close to the shore, make sure you are appropriately dressed, and let someone know where you are going. If you fall in accidentally, cold water shock can be deadly and it is vital you do not swim or try to get out. Instead, focus on floating and keeping your airway above the water.
You can find lots more tips and information by downloading our free Water Savvy guide at: www.sea-cadets.org/get-involved
Tye Shuttleworth Head of Inshore Boating Sea Cadets
Dear Editor, This September, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is raising awareness of Women and Heart Disease and I want to encourage your readers to help fund life saving heart research by taking part in our Bag It. Beat It. campaign throughout the month.
It’s a sad reality that cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes the deaths of over 8,000 women in Scotland alone each year and there are also around 3.5 million women living with cardiovascular disease across the UK.
As the nation’s heart charity, the BHF is determined to fund as much vital research as possible into every aspect of CVD, including causes, better drugs and improved surgical techniques to improve the prospects for anyone affected by CVD in the UK. It is only with the continued support of people in Scotland that we will be able to fund this pioneering research.
Having a clear out and donating any unwanted items to your local BHF shop as part of Bag It. Beat It. this September is a really simple way everyone can get involved and help in the fight for every heartbeat. Every single item donated to your local BHF shop, whether it is clothing shoes, books or records will help continue the fight against coronary heart disease, the UKS single biggest killer.
To help make donating completely hassle-free, we even offer a free home collection service which can be booked either through your local shop or by calling our free phone line on 0800 915 3000.
I really hope your readers are able to support us this September and help to Bag It. Beat It. for women affected by heart disease.
To find your local shop, order free donation bags or find out more about what can be donated please visit bagit.bhf.org.uk
Shirley Stenhouse Area Manager at the British Heart Foundation