Thanks to the RNLI, 9-year-old Alicia Ough from Saltash in Cornwall knew exactly what to do when she saw her friend and neighbour Becky Matthews in trouble in the water off Seaton beach on Sunday afternoon (25 July).

Alicia attends St Stephens Primary School in Saltash where the RNLI’s education volunteers and lifeguards had visited before the summer holidays to deliver their beach safety talks. Alicia and her classmates had also attended the RNLI’s SOS Open Day in January. Her knowledge of beach safety meant Alicia was quick to act when saw her friend Becky, aged 11 in trouble whilst swimming at Seaton beach, near Downderry in Cornwall she says;

‘I thought she was joking at first, but then I saw her face and saw that she was crying I knew it was serious. I think she was caught in a rip current because she was trying to swim, but not getting anywhere. Because the RNLI lifeguards Daniel and Charlie had come into our school, I knew that if I went to try and save her, that I would also be in trouble, so I got help.’

Alicia quickly responded and Becky was helped out of the water by two of the adults with the girls.

Alicia’s mum Emma says;

‘I am so proud of her, all the adults had been momentarily distracted by an incident on the beach, so we were oblivious to anything going on. I am so thankful that Alicia remembered what the RNLI had told her and got help immediately. I would dread to think of what might have happened if she’d tried to help her herself and we had two girls in danger. I really wanted to come back and thank the RNLI and hope that our story will encourage other families to think about safety when visiting the beach. ’

Dave Cooling the RNLI’s Educational Manager and Tom Child an RNLI Educational volunteer welcomed Alicia, Becky and their family’s back to the charity’s divisional base in Saltash yesterday (Thursday 29 July) and commended them on their bravery. Dave says;

‘I am very impressed, and overjoyed that Alicia had remembered what the RNLI had taught her and helped to ensure she knew exactly what to do. The RNLI strive to prevent incidents occurring though both sea and beach safety education. As well as the lifeguards who go into schools at the start of the summer we also have an army of volunteers who give up their free time to visit schools, and events throughout the year to deliver our education programme to children and adults.

Its really great and heartening to see the results of this in action and lovely to meet both Becky and Alicia.’

For more beach safety advise visit www.rnli.org.uk/beachsafety  or the RNLI’s children’s website Shorething, where you can find lots of fun and interactive games to play and download www.rnli.org.uk/shorething

Notes to editors

• Please find attached three photos, credit RNLI
• 1. Alicia and family outside the RNLI’s Divisional Base in Saltash. From L to R; Tom Child, RNLI Educational Volunteer, Lucy Train, RNLI Education Admin Assistant, Dave Cooling, RNLI Education Manager, Alicia Ough, Becky Matthews, Alicia’s Mum Emma Ough, Alicia’s sister Bethany Ough (aged 2), Becky’s Dad Ray Lemon, Alicia’s brothers Conor Ough (aged 3) and Tyler Ough (aged 6)
• 2. Becky Matthews (L) and Alicia Ough
• 3. Alicia Ough (L) and Becky Matthews outside RNLI Divisional Base in Saltash

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Amy Caldwell, RNLI Lifeguard Press Officer on 07920 818 807 or amy_Caldwell@rnli.org.uk