Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) Ambassador and Volunteer, Jackie Roberts, has officially joined the team at the charity as a Drowning Prevention Liaison Officer, it was announced today (June 1).

Jackie, who has worked for the Drowning Prevention Charity in a voluntary capacity since her daughter Megan tragically drowned after a night out in 2014, has begun her role this month.

Jackie will be working across the country supporting the charity in spreading essential drowning prevention messages through education and campaigning to help stop any further tragic and preventable deaths.

She will also continue her role as Ambassador for RLSS UK, with particular focus on the charity’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign and its vital messages.

Jackie Roberts came into contact with the charity through the most tragic circumstance, when her 20-year-old student daughter, Megan, drowned in the early hours of Thursday 23 January 2014 after she fell into the River Ouse in York when walking home after a night out. Since Megan’s death, Jackie has supported the charity on a number of different levels from fundraising, securing drowning prevention on the political agenda to fronting media campaigns.

RLSS UK Chief Executive Officer, Di Steer, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jackie Roberts into the team. We feel her personal experience is invaluable. Since the death of Megan, Jackie has worked extremely closely with all the team here at RLSS UK to raise awareness of water safety.

“Jackie has used her unimaginable and devastating loss to raised thousands of pounds for the charity in memory of Megan and has been instrumental in promoting our key national campaigns including Drowning Prevention Week and Don’t Drink and Drown.

“She has used the death of her daughter to help other families across the country, who have suffered a similar loss or a near drowning experience. Jackie’s compassion and caring nature has helped families in a way that few people could.

“We are thrilled to be able to give Jackie the opportunity to continue her success supporting the charity in fundraising and educational work.”

Jackie Roberts said: “It is with great pleasure that I have joined the RLSS UK. Since losing my daughter, Megan, the Ambassador role has been an invaluable part of my grieving and given me purpose and a way of honouring her memory.

“This new role means that I can continue working in a drowning prevention capacity but with the opportunity to be fully involved and focused. RLSS UK are a team of dedicated and enthusiastic people and I am looking forward to working with them on a regular basis.”

The news follows Jackie being named as The Yorkshire Woman of the Year, winning the Jane Tomlinson Courage Award, which RLSS UK nominated her for.