Young Wirral lifesavers are honoured by the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society

Sep 16 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

EIGHT young lifesavers from Wirral have been honoured by the prestigious Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society.

The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Andrew Hodson, awarded certificates on behalf of the society at a special reception in Wallasey Town Hall on Wednesday.

The budding lifeguards have spent the past two years training at Leasowe Lifesaving Club to reach the level required in order to take part in the society’s annual lifesaving competition.

Tony Jones, examiner for the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, said: “Living on a peninsula gives Wirral people a very close connection with the sea.

“Although the number of water-based accidents and fatalities is thankfully only a fraction of what it was when the society was founded 170 years ago, the waters themselves are no less treacherous today.

“That is why we need to ensure that each new generation is given the chance to learn these vital lifesaving skills.”

The Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society was founded in 1839 by local merchants and ship-owners.

Its objectives are to assist in the saving of human life in cases of shipwreck, fire and other dangers in and near the port of Liverpool.

The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Andrew Hodson, said: “I applaud these young people for investing their time and energy into learning a new skill which may, one day, help to save the lives of other people.”