Boy just wants to help save lives with new video

A nine-year-old boy has said he is "very proud" to be the face of a popular water safety campaign aimed at saving lives.

Crosby Leisure Centre said Rory's video - showing what to do if you get into trouble in the water - had been a real hit on social media and resonated in particular with young people.

Rory's mum Chloe, who is also a swimming instructor, said he had always loved being in the water and was a strong swimmer.

She said he was "over the moon" to star in the video, especially since they live near Crosby beach, which is dangerous for swimmers.

Rory said: "It's important to protect people from the dangers of the water."

Joanne Bond, social media manager at the leisure centre, said the nine-year-old was so confident in the water.

His "cheeky chap" personality meant he was ideal for the public safety campaign.

The schoolboy was eager to help when they asked him, she said.

"Rory was amazing - so enthusiastic and a natural at it," said Bond.

"He was a one-take wonder!"

She said his video especially appealed to other children and young people.

"It screams the message better than we could - it was so much more effective."

Rory's mum said her son was "over the moon" at being involved, especially when it was shown to his entire school.

His friends were impressed with his starring role in the video featuring vital water skills such as the 'float to live' technique.

"Everyone was telling me 'well done'," Rory said.

"People could see the video and float to live so it could save lives."

Rory said he wants to be a lifeguard when he grows up and "protect people from the dangers of the water".

He clearly takes after his mum who said being a swimming teacher was her dream job.

"It's a gift to be able to teach vital life skills," the 39-year-old said.

Bond said getting the water safety message out was crucial, particularly given its location by Crosby beach which is a magnet for visitors.

It is an RNLI red-flagged area, which means water conditions are unsafe for swimming.

"Crosby beach attracts so many people," the 34-year-old said.

"A lot of people come to see Antony Gormley's iron men figures but not many people realise the beach is so dangerous."

She said it is not meant for bathing because of sinking sands.

Tragedies there include the death of 14-year-old Daniel Halliday who was swept out to sea while jumping waves with friends in 2024.

The centre ran a series of events last month in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSSUK) as part of Drowning Prevention Week.

Deputy manager Liam Brown said: "Teaching vital water skills is one of our main goals to prevent drownings especially as we are so near to the beach."

Leisure centre staff go into schools in the local area to teach vital water safety skills.

Bond said as well as spreading the message to thousands of local pupils every year they also raise awareness with online presentations for the Children's University.

Ashley Jones, of the RLSS UK, said it was "thrilled" to see Rory helping spread the water safety code and float to live messages this summer.

He said: "We want everyone to enjoy water safely, so Rory being a champion for water safety in his community means a lot."

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