A parent who has campaigned tirelessly to promote the importance of water safety education has been presented with STA’s highest honour.

Beckie Ramsay, who founded Doing It For Dylan after the tragic death of her 13-year-old son Dylan in 2011, received the Roll of Honour at the organisation’s annual conference on 1st October, to recognise the incredible work she has done over the past five years.

Beckie has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and to educate young people about the dangers of swimming in unsupervised water environments

It is only the seventh time in 16 years that the Roll of Honour has been awarded by STA – demonstrating the positive impact that Beckie’s campaign has had on water safety education, says Richard Timms, President of the STA.

Dylan Ramsay drowned in the summer of 2011 as he tried to swim back to safety after he jumped into the water at Hill Top Quarry, near Chorley. Despite being a strong swimmer, he quickly got into difficulties and drowned when his body went into shock because of the plummeting water temperature.

Since the tragedy, Beckie has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and to educate young people about the dangers of swimming in unsupervised water environments. She has worked on her own, touring the country to give talks in schools and to youth groups, with little or no resources.

At one of her latest talks at Longridge High School, near Preston, she was personally credited for dissuading pupils not to socially congregate by the reservoir behind the school any more – historically this was a safety concern for the school and the local water company.

Lancashire Fire & Rescue have also praised Beckie’s work, citing they have seen a reduction in water rescues as a result of the awareness created.

Beckie also supported STA during this this year’s National Safety Water Safety Week and helped in the making of a video, which shares the real-life stories of four families who have experienced the devastating effects of losing a loved one to drowning.

She has turned what is a devastating tragedy in her life into a positive message for other young people

Becky has been a real inspiration to many people over the past five years, said Richard. She has turned what is a devastating tragedy in her life into a positive message for other young people. I’m very proud that we are working with Beckie and that we are able to recognise the sterling work she has done with this special STA honour.

Beckie added: It’s a real privilege that the STA has chosen to present me with the Roll of Honour. This was a campaign I would never have chosen to start but I felt I had to do something after Dylan drowned. He was a young, fit and healthy boy who was a strong swimmer, yet he struggled and was unable to reach safety when he jumped into the quarry.

If my story helps to save just one life it is worth it; I don’t want another parent to go through what I have.