Ruthin mum's water safety campaign following tragic loss of son

Leeanne Bartley's 18-year-old son, Mark Allen, died after after jumping into a reservoir in Greater Manchester in June of 2018.

The drama student was a talented actor and had dreamed of acting professionally.

But his life was cut tragically short after he went into the Debdale Reservoir in Gorton, Manchester to cool off on a hot summer's day, not realising the water was in fact freezing cold.

Mark immediately got into difficulties and, despite the best efforts of friends to save him, tragically drowned - with his body recovered by search and rescue teams.

Mark Allen and sister, Kelly.

Ever since the tragedy, Leeanne, of Ruthin, has channelled her grief into something positive by campaigning in her son's memory to prevent further such incidents occurring.

The 43-year-old has now launched a petition calling for 'Mark Allen's Law' to be introduced, which would make it law for throwline stations to be installed at all open water sites in Wales.

Around 400 people drown in the UK every year and thousands more suffer injury, some life changing, through near-drowning experiences.

Throwline stations provide quick access rescue capability for anyone who might find themselves in difficulties in the water.

Mark Allen as a baby.

Leeanne said: "If there was a throwline station at that reservoir - which there is today - I strongly believe Mark would still be here.

"Speaking to people who work in water safety, like those in the fire services, it's clear throwlines have saved many lives.

"We want to save lives and save people from going through the heartbreak and tragedy of losing someone they love to drowning.

"You don't want youngsters going near open water, but realistically I think it's hard to stop it altogether. So there has to be a safety net in place if someone gets into difficulty."

Mark Allen's sisters, Caitlin and Megan, with a throwline station the family's campaign has helped install at an open water site.

Leeanne already has enough signatures for her petition to be discussed by the Senedd Petitions Committee, and is hopeful of getting the 10,000 she needs for the issue to be debated in Welsh parliament.

Leeanne Bartley and husband, David.

She says that currently, throwline stations and other preventative measures are only installed at places where a tragedy has already occurred.

"It's too late putting something in place once someone's already lost their own life", Leeanne said.

"That's why we want them installed at every open body of water to prevent future tragedies."

Mark Allen, with sisters Kelly and Lauren, and his father.

Despite the grief she faces on a daily basis, Leeanne is determined to ensure other families don't have to go through what her's has.

She said: "It's also important we keep Mark's memory alive so he's still be able to make a difference, even though he's no longer with us.

"Mark's dream was to travel the world and help people in need, his life goal was to make a difference - and doing this will allow him to do so.

"We want his memory to be the catalyst for preventing future tragedies."

You can sign the petition here. 

Mark Allen.