After completing its third year of the Water Safety Awareness Programme for primary schools, the Mayo Water-Safety Area Committee acknowledges the huge support, and participation, of Shell Irl and Corrib Natural Gas (Local Grants Programme ), in this most important initiative for the children of north Mayo.
The initial pilot programme in Westport in early 2008 was supported by Mayo Sports Partnership and Mayo County Council.
The programme includes water safety awareness on the farm, in the home, on the beach and in the swimming pool. Also included is the correct use of ring-buoys, throw-lines etc, and the joys and dangers of the many Blue Flag beaches, lakes, and rivers throughout County Mayo.
The idea for the programme was first discussed back in 2007 at a Westport Water Safety meeting, and was then handed over to Tadhg Mc Nally, instructor with Irish Water Safety, in order to implement the initiative. Three years on, with many miles travelled and some 3,000 certificates issued, Tadhg McNally is delighted with the success of this very worth-while and life-saving programme.
“Like many great initiatives in our county, none would be successful without the support of sponsorship, and in this case Corrib Natural Gas has come to the fore,” Mr McNally said. “Mayo Water-Safety Area Committee are looking forward to the continuing support of Shell Irl in promoting water safety awareness to the children of north Mayo. A sincere thanks also to Ms Fiona Togher, social investment advisor with Corrib Gas, for her recognition of this must-have life-saving awareness programme.”
The area committee also acknowledges the support of Mayo Sports Partnership and Mayo County Council. Mr McNally will be visiting primary schools in the Castlebar area over the next number of weeks highlighting the water safety programme.
For more information on water safety in Mayo contact Michael Gavin, water safety officer, Mayo County Council or log onto www.iws.ie
