Children between the ages of three to give are set to benefit from a free swimming lesson this Learn2Swim week at Griffith Swim Splash School.
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The national water safety initiative will be held from Friday September 25th to Sunday October 3rd, in an effort to prevent future youth drowning events
Drowning is one of the most common causes of unintentional death in Australian children aged between 0-4 years, with children aged between 0-2 years being the most vulnerable.
In 2020 alone, 19 children under the age of five drowned in Australia, 12 in backyard swimming pools.
Allison and Piper Stewart from Bambigi Aboriginal Kids Swimming said the Learn 2 Swim week initiative was a great way to provide access to swimming lessons for those who otherwise would not be able to.
The not for profit charity raises money to pay for swimming lessons for Griffith's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and after raising more than $40,000 since its inception three years ago, has run free swimming lessons for 200 local kids.
Gulidjan girl Piper Stewart said that swimming was a lifelong skill, and one that could potentially save your life in the future.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are more times more likely to drown so we really want to change those statistics and improve accessibility and affordability to swimming lessons in the local community," Miss Stewart said.
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"As the weather warms up, more kids will be swimming in channels and rivers so initiatives like Learn2Swim week and our work through Bambigi are important in ensuring kids are smart and safe swimmers.
Griffith City Council Leisure Services Manager, Alan Anderson said that Learn2Swim week was a 'great opportunity' to remind parents of the importance of swimming lessons.
"Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children under give, with swimming pools the most common location for toddler drownings," Mr Anderson said.
"Griffith is an area surrounded by water and learning to swim is a vital, and potentially lifesaving skill."
To book you child in for their free swimming lesson, please visit www.learn2swimweek.com
If you would like to donate to Bambigi you can click here.
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