Kids Alive show spreads an important message
The ‘Kids Alive Do the Five’ show that was performed in Ballina last Wednesday, October 21, was greatly supported by the Ballina community, after residents recognised the importance of water safety education in the lead-up to summer.
The 10.30 Ballina show saw 350 people attend to watch the Kids Alive show, developed by Gold medal Olympic coach Laurie Lawrence.
The sold-out show at the 10.30 time slot meant another was shown at noon, teaching more Ballina children under five about water safety.
In the 12 months to June 2009, 302 Australians lost their lives due to drowning, up an incredible 16% compared with last year.
Of the many children that had drowned in the last year, 60% of them had drowned in a backyard pool.
Thanks to a partnership between McDonald’s restaurants within the northern NSW region and the Kids Alive program, the performance crew is embarking on a tour throughout October to help educate the region’s residents on the importance of water safety.
The Royal Life Saving Society is backing the Kids Alive program by promoting further water safety education, which includes encouraging children and parents to exercise caution around backyard pools.
The Kids Alive Do the Five water safety show includes singing and dancing costumed characters that deliver strong messages to parents and children including:
- Fence the pool!
- Shut the Gate!
- Teach your kids to swim! It’s great!
- Supervise, watch your mate!
- And learn how to resuscitate!
“This past summer has been horrific in terms of pre-school drowning,” said Mr Lawrence.
“Eighty-two per cent of all drownings occur in spring and summer, so it is very appropriate that McDonald’s should sponsor the program at the most dangerous time of the year.
“With the support of McDonald’s, I’d like to think we can make the regional towns we are visiting, throughout northern NSW, fatality free.”
McDonald’s Ballina licensee Scott Campbell said: “McDonald’s restaurants in New South Wales have a personal affiliation with the Kids Alive Do the Five program as Chris Simpson, a former McDonald’s Coffs Harbour licensee, had his two-year-old grandson die from drowning.
“Since this sad event, Mr Simpson and McDonald’s northern NSW licensees have made it their personal mission to assist in developing an awareness of water safety for both adults and children in the region.”
For more information on Kids Alive Do the Five be sure to visit www.kidsalive.com.au
PICTURE: Laurie Lawrance and the characters in the Kids Alive Do the Five show.
