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Jersey wins School Delivery Site of the Year in the 2019 Swim Safe Awards!

Swim Safe, the water safety programme for children created by Swim England and the RNLI, has named Jersey as School Delivery Site of the Year in its 2019 Swim Safe Awards.

Since launching with a single site in 2013, Swim Safe has grown to include more than 30 sites across England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Last summer, in Jersey, over 950 children from 28 schools across the island took part in the free swim safety sessions run by qualified Swim Safe instructors and beach lifeguards, at various beaches around the island.

The UK body’s accolade for the Swim Safe programme delivered in partnership by Jersey Sport and the Bosdet Foundation stated, “every year Team Jersey deliver fantastic sessions to all year 5 children across the island. Alan, Martine and the teaching team ensure that all children have the opportunity to take part in a session by travelling all over the island to bring Swim Safe closer to schools.”

Senator Pallett, Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, with responsibility for Sport said, “This is fantastic recognition for the hard work put in by all parties to deliver this important programme in conjunction with Government. Water safety is paramount in any island community and this programme delivers huge benefits for Jersey.”

Martine Le Guilcher, Jersey Sport’s Swimming Development Officer said, “we’re extremely proud to win this national award, which demonstrates Jersey Sport’s commitment to ensuring local children receive the correct messages about how to stay safe in and around Jersey’s waters.”

Alan Le Pavoux, Charity Manager at the Bosdet Foundation added, “We are proud of the number of children reached through this programme, it is a great example of how partnerships between organisations can have a huge impact, especially when we put the needs of children first. Bosdet have committed to delivering Swim Safe in Jersey for another three years, as we believe it is vital to give children in our island as many opportunities and experiences as possible. Swim Safe not only teaches vital water safety skills, it also opens up opportunities to experience one of our island greatest assets, our beaches.”

The Swim Safe programme will return to Jersey this summer, providing more vital water safety skills to the island’s children.

[ENDS]