Young lifeguards making a splash

WELL done . . . Caoimhe Preshur receives her award from RLSS UK

CHILDREN are being urged to learn a lifesaving skill this half-term to follow in the footsteps of a brave 10 year old.

Caoimhe Preshur, from Saddleworth, was on a family boating holiday in Sheffield when she saw a boy slip off the deck of a narrow boat and into the canal in March.

After screaming for help and reaching for the boy, Caoimhe, then nine, jumped into the water and helped to keep his head above the surface until his family rushed to help.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK heard about her courageous actions and she has recently completed her first Rookie award with them.

She said: “I really thought it was extremely useful and I am definitely going to carry on with the lessons,” she said.

Caoimhe’s mum, Abigail Bown, added: “I think more children should do lessons like these so they don’t panic and have an idea what to do.”

Aimed at children aged eight to 12, the courses teach skills that could save children or others in an emergency. Details: www.rlss.org.uk.