Widow determined to educate others on water dangers
A young widow is marking what would have been her husband’s 33rd birthday today by urging people to log on and take part in a water safety course in his memory.
Shane Walsh died in the River Severn when he slipped into the water after a night out in 2017.
Today Kirsty Walsh, 30, combines bringing up the couple’s two young children, aged six and four, and her job in education with campaigning to improve water safety, including a Home and Dry Water Course.
Since Shane’s tragic death she has campaigned for safety measures on the Severn, seen throw ropes installed at points along the river and has become ambassador for the West Mercia Search and Rescue volunteers.
Now, to mark his birthday, she hopes to see numbers that have taken the free course rise from 15,000 to 20,000 over coming weeks.
She said the family always celebrated Shane’s life on his birthday.
“It is really difficult to celebrate when he is not here with us,” Kirsty said.
“But I want us to make his birthday a positive day and remember all the good times we had. I am hoping that by speaking about Shane on his birthday people will get involved and do the online course.
“It is less than an hour out of their time but could save their life or the lives of others in the future.
“I would also like those in schools to investigate doing the course as part of the pupil’s learning.
“There are versions for secondary and primary children. For instance we have outdoor challenges for younger children, giving them bean bags to see how far they can throw them, as if they were using a throw line.
“If we could encourage 5,000 more people to complete it that would take us to 20,000.”
Kirsty said the fear of others losing loved ones to the water was always with her.
“Recently there has been more flooding and then there was the cold snap when pools were iced over,” she said.
“If I see people on the ice it makes my stomach turn over.”
To access the online course, visit westmerciasar.org.uk/homeanddry
