Former Kerry footballer Killian Young backs RNLI summer water safety campaign

The videos are part of the partnership between the RNLI and the GAA to prevent drowning and save lives.

Killian is joined by former Kilkenny hurler Jackie Tyrrell, Cork footballer Brian Hurley, Galway camogie player Shauna Healy, Antrim hurler Neil McManus and Dublin footballer Lyndsey Davey, as well as GAA commentator Marty Morrissey. Each video features a water safety message and includes the charity’s ‘Float to Live’ message, how to raise the alarm if you see someone in trouble, carrying a means of calling for help, leaving inflatables at home and always telling someone where you are going. The RNLI and the GAA will be sharing the videos online and hope that people will in turn share them among their own friends and family. This summer is already looking to be one of the busiest for lifeboat crews and the charity is asking people to be aware of the potential dangers involved in their chosen water activities.

Commenting on the campaign RNLI Head of Water Safety Gareth Morrison said, ‘In working with well-known people from the GAA we have been able to share life-saving advice with the people we know need to hear it the most. Through this partnership RNLI volunteers have been working with GAA communities locally to share water safety advice. Sharing this advice and information during a busy summer could save a life. We are grateful to our ambassadors who made these videos for us and while we haven’t been able to come together in person, we have still been able to work together to help save lives.’

Killian filmed his video overlooking Fenit harbour where the RNLI has a lifeboat station, one of two in the Kingdom, along with Valentia RNLI. His video message is about the danger of inflatables. The footballer advises to keep them at home, the charity has already seen a sharp rise in the number of callouts involving inflatables which can be easily blown out to sea with offshore winds. The message also advises to avoid mixing alcohol with any water-based activity and to know how to raise the alarm if you see someone in trouble on the water by dialling 999 or 112 and asking for the Coast Guard.

Commenting on his involvement in the video Killian said ‘I am delighted to be involved with the RNLI on their GAA partnership. As a proud Kerry man I know all too well the attraction of the sea and the dangers of it too if you are not prepared for it. Living on an island with such a beautiful coastline, we should all know basic water safety advice and what to do when we head to the beach or out on the water. The RNLI/GAA partnership is working to share this advice with people in their local communities. These small videos only take a second to share but they could be the second that saves life.’

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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