Family of drowned 14 year old boy urges people to #GetWaterWise
The family of Matthew Sherrington say education on the issue is vital
The family of 14 year old Matthew Sherrington from Hartlepool who drowned after being washed out to sea during the summer have backed our #GetWaterWise Campaign.
Back in July Matthew Sherrington was playing with his friends when he was dragged out by a strong current near Steetley Pier.
Matthew's family are calling for more water safety signs to be placed on isolated beaches in the UK, believing that this will help prevent dozens of deaths around coastlines, reservoirs and rivers in the UK.
Matthews cousin, Jess Coles, said: "There needs to be signs on the beach. There wasn't any signs when it happened to our Matty. Luckily enough since it happen to Matty they've actually put signs up, but why should it have took for that to happen for the signs to be put up?"
The 14 year old's auntie, Jennifer Sherrington, said: "You see it on the news, things like this happen. You always think 'that'll never happen to any us', and then it did happen to us. Heartbroken."
His cousin told us his death had shocked the family to their core and more education is needed on the issue.
Jess said: "The sea is pretty. It's nice when it's the summer, it's lovely to get in, but do not go too far in. Paddle your feet. You do not need to go to the extreme of going in up to neck, to your shoulders or even to your neck. It does not need to be done. Just be careful.
"He went into the water, he was just playing with his friends and a riptide had took him."
Matthew's auntie said: "I can't imagine what they're feeling, seeing him one minute then not seeing him the next.
"The RNLI have events down at Hartlepool on water safety, we urge people to go to them."
"We learnt stuff that even we didn't know about. So obviously if we're learning stuff, kids need to be learning it as well. It needs drumming into them", Jess added.