Residents are invited to take part in free water safety events at Wolverhampton's WV Active leisure centres as part of a national campaign.

The City of Wolverhampton Council run centres will be supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK's Drowning Prevention Week, which runs from 16 to 26 June and aims to cut down on the 400 accidental drownings that occur in the UK every year.

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children in the UK, with 51 children under the age of 10 losing their lives over the last 5 years.

To raise awareness, WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams will be holding a Rookie Lifeguard taster session for 8 to 16 year-olds on Saturday (17 June) from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, and a Baby and Toddler Save a Life session on Monday (19 June) from 2.20pm to 3.30pm.

WV Active Aldersley will also be holding a Baby and Toddler Save a Life session on Tuesday (20 June) from 1.20pm to 2.30pm, with an Adult Save a Life session at WV Active Central the same day from 4pm to 5pm.

Both WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams and WV Active Central will be holding Free Swim Friday on 23 June, offering free swimming to the under 18s all day.

Councillor Steve Evans, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for City Environment, said: "We are proud to be supporting the Royal Life Saving Society UK's Drowning Prevention Week campaign at our leisure centres.

"I'd like to encourage members of the public to get involved in these free events across the City as it is important that everyone - young and old - can learn these potentially lifesaving skills."

To find out more information, please call 01902 551010 or visit Type=links;Linkid=4852;Title=WV Active;Target=_blank;.

  • released: Tuesday 13 June, 2017