Wales On Sunday

‘I JUST FEEL PRIVILEGED TO BE MARK’S MUM – HIS LEGACY WILL LIVE ON LONG AFTER WE’VE GONE’

difference. Because swimming in a swimming pool with people there is completely different to swimming in open water because the temperatur­e of the water is exceptiona­lly cold, and you also have hidden dangers in the water like shopping trolleys and discarded debris you can get tangled up in, as well as currents and whirlpools.”

Describing what life is like without Mark, Leeanne said: “Everything has completely changed.

“The impact losing Mark has had it’s not something you ever get over, the loss of a child.

“You are just trying to get through as best you can, and it’s affected every single one of us in the family and his friends.”

Since losing Mark, Leeanne has had to get involved with public speaking in order to raise awareness of the dangers of drowning, and the impact it can have on young people.

But she says she has found this process to be cathartic, allowing her to open up about her grief and losing her son at such a young age.

She added: “There was an event hosted by Water Safety Wales in Cardiff Bay on May 8 at the Pierhead Building and I gave a speech.

“I was so grateful to be able to speak at that event because it really did help me say my piece on it.

“I’ve never spoken to so many people and I just feel privileged to be Mark’s mum. He’s making history.

“His legacy will live on long after we’ve gone. He is an amazing person.”

The committee’s report has now been published and found drowning prevention measures are hindered by a lack of coordinati­on from the Welsh Government.

The issue of water safety does not fall under one specific minister’s responsibi­lity and straddles various government department­s.

Measures to increase awareness of the dangers posed by water and to improve water safety, including allocating a specific minister to lead this work, are among the recommenda­tions.

That would help choose one consistent educationa­l message across all of Wales, which experts say is crucial for preventing drowning deaths.

“Clear leadership and coordinati­on from Welsh Government, these campaigns can reach even more people and ultimately, prevent deaths,” said head of the petitions committee Jack Sargeant.

“We must do better as a country, and I hope this report will give a boost to all those working hard to do so.”

Chris Cousens, chair of Water Safety Wales, said: “The rate of accidental drowning per head of population here in Wales is around double that of the UK as a whole.

“The number of accidental drowning deaths, sadly, is also higher than the number of deaths, for example in fires, motorcycle accidents and cycling – three other high-profile causes of accidental deaths.”

Water Safety Wales brings together individual­s and organisati­ons with an interest in water safety and drowning prevention.

It worked with the Welsh Government to develop the Wales Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026, with the aim to reduce the number of water-related deaths in Wales down to zero.

However, it was noted in the inquiry that this partnershi­p with the Welsh Government needs to be formalised and funding arrangemen­ts secured to enable Water Safety Wales to deliver this important work.

The committee heard about the challenges of installing, maintainin­g and using throw lines effectivel­y and recognised that they are one of a range of safety measures to consider to mitigate the risks identified in water, and can in some circumstan­ces give a false sense of security.

Leeanne said: “The report is even more than we could have asked for when we started the petition. I’m so thankful to the Senedd for hearing our story and listening to us and the other families that have been affected by drowning deaths but there is still work to be done and I will carry on campaignin­g. I hope Welsh Government takes these recommenda­tions on board and continues to work with us on water safety.”