The Royal Life Saving Society UK launches first tribute page on the anniversary of Megan Roberts’ death

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK), the UK’s drowning prevention charity, will this month (January) launch its new Tribute Funds service where relatives of drowning victims can raise awareness of water safety and funds to support RLSS UK’s work, whilst celebrating the lives of their loved ones.
The first fund has been created by Jackie Roberts in memory of her daughter, Megan, who tragically drowned three years ago in the River Ouse, York. Megan Roberts’ Tribute Fund will be launched on the anniversary of her death on, 23 January, and will also coincide with several memorial events being held in her memory in York.

RLSS UK’s Tribute Funds have been set up using the user-friendly MuchLoved platform which allows every family to create and customise a page with photos, music and words.

They also allow visitors to light a candle and add memories to an online memory book.

RLSS UK’s Chief Executive, Di Steer, said: “There are many ways in which we support families who have lost loved ones to drowning and the tribute funds allow us to help support them whilst giving them a platform to keep their family members’ memories alive online. The Tribute Fund programme will also allow us and the families to raise awareness of water safety and drowning prevention messages.”

Jackie Roberts mother of Megan Roberts added: “Setting up a tribute fund in memory of Megan was something I had wanted to do for a long time so I was really pleased when RLSS UK suggested offering this to bereaved families.

“Thousands of pounds have been raised in Megan’s memory and these tribute pages can also be used as fundraising platforms with funds going towards RLSS UK’s invaluable drowning prevention work. I personally am finding it another way of helping me learn to live with the pain of loss.”

Around 400 people needlessly die from drowning in the UK every year and thousands more suffer injury, some life-changing, through near-drowning experiences. Shockingly, one person dies every 20 hours in the UK and drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death of children in the UK. Raising awareness and funds is vital to helping RLSS UK stop preventable deaths and spreading water safety messages to keep members of the public safe.

We’re hoping that Megan’s fund will encourage other families to take up the service and use it to help them to come to terms with their grief and help us raise awareness of water safety,” added Di.

Visit megan.roberts.muchloved.com to view Megan’s page or visit rlss.org.uk/support-us/tribute-funds/ to find out more. If you’d like to set up a Tribute Fund page please email [email protected].

For more information on RLSS UK –

Visit our website at rlss.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter – @RLSSUK

Visit our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/RLSSUK

Call – 0300 323 0096