‘Children need to know the dangers’
PARENTS RAISING WATER SAFETY AWARENESS AFTER SON’S DEATH
THE grieving parents of a 13-yearold boy who drowned in the River Tyne have set up a foundation in his name to raise awareness of water safety.
Robert Hattersley got into difficulty while swimming with friends in the river near Ovingham in Northumberland. The teenager was pulled in by strong currents in July last year and those with him were unable to save him.
His family waited while the emergency services searched the water for him. Around six hours later, police delivered the devastating news that Robert had been found and had passed away.
In the lead up to the one-year anniversary of Robert’s death, his parents Carl, 49, and Stella, 48, from Crawcrook,gateshead, have set up the Robert Hattersley Foundation in his name.
They aim to raise awareness of the importance of water safety and support for young people who may have lost a loved one in a similar way.
Carl said: “Robert was a polite young lad. He was kind and gentle and he would help anybody out.
“It was really hard when we lost him. He was our only lad and it hit us really hard. We miss him a lot, we’re not the same without him here.
“It has been a hard challenge and it will never go away for us. It doesn’t sink in when you lose a bairn, especially so young.
“We have set the foundation up to remember Robert, it’s his legacy. It’s not just for Robert, it’s for families and for every single child. It’s somewhere for people to come and get support.
“I know it’s not going to bring him back but something positive will come out of this. A lot of love and support has been put into it by me and my wife.
“It’s not just helping us, it’s helping others that have lost a loved one
Sthrough drowning. Maybe we can all come together and fight this.
“Something needs to be done to keep children safe and give them more awareness of how dangerous rivers can be.”
Robert grew up with four older sisters Emma, 25, Charlotte, 22, Chantelle, 20, and Victoria, 17. He lived in Crawcrook with Carl, Stella and Victoria and attended Thorp Academy in Ryton.
He had lots of friends and would spend his spare time playing football or Fortnite on his game console.
Robert got into difficulty in the River Tyne shortly before 4.15pm on July 17 last year. The emergency services were called and searches were carried out by Northumbria Police, Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service, Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and Mountain Rescue. Robert’s body was later found in the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Carl and Stella, who are grandparents to Emma’s four children, plan to go into schools to share their experience of losing Robert in the hope that it will warn pupils about the dangers of the water.
Carl said: “The Robert Hattersley Foundation is about raising awareness and supporting mental health. It’s going to be run by community members, we’re getting people involved.
“Water safety should be part of a child’s education. If it’s too much for schools, as we know they have got a lot on, we could become involved and give them a bit of education as well.
“We’re going to mention a bit of our story and hopefully it might sink in. Our message is so powerful. The summer holidays are coming up and the message needs to be out there – to be safe around rivers and how dangerous they can be. “Children need to know the dangers. There were no signs down by the river where it happened to our son. They want to go down there and have fun. We don’t want to stop them from having fun but they need to be more cautious of the dangers. There’s no one there to keep an eye on them.”
Carl has urged any schools who would like them to visit and speak to pupils about water safety to get in touch with the
Robert Hattersley Foundation.
He added: “A lot of money was raised for Robert’s funeral and he had a very good send-off. The church has been a big support to us. We want to give something positive back.”
The family’s local MP Liz Twist has offered to support them with the Robert Hattersley Foundation.
The Labour MP for Blaydon said: “I remember hearing about the tragic news of Robert Hattersley and the feeling that rippled throughout the community was of shock and pain at losing someone so young.
“Carl and Stella got in touch to talk me through their plans and I was incredibly moved. They have been incredible in taking this moment of devastation and using it as a catalyst to prevent future catastrophes.
“I am proud of them for the work they are doing and I am pleased to help in any way that I can to support their campaign.”