THOUSANDS of children have been learning about the dangers of jumping into rivers as part of an ongoing campaign.

Almost 5,000 school pupils across County Durham have been getting hard-hitting advice in assemblies featuring Fiona Gosling, whose son Cameron died of cold water shock.

The sessions, led by Durham County Council, have been delivered to nearly 15,000 pupils over the last three years during which time there has been a reduction in water-related fatalities.

Mrs Gosling said: “We lost Cameron three years ago and life without him doesn’t get any easier.

“But it is comforting that by speaking about him in the assemblies, he is able to act as a teacher to so many young people.”

The assemblies are part of the Safe Durham Partnership’s (SDP) Dying to be Cool campaign, which sees the council work with Cameron’s family and friends to raise awareness among ten to sixteen year olds.

The 14-year-old from Crook, a student at Parkside Academy, jumped into the River Wear at Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, without acclimatising in July 2015. The shock of the cold water caused his heart to stop.

The fire service has also been delivering the assemblies in the Darlington area.

To find out more about cold water shock and to see a video of Cyle Gosling talking about life without his brother, visit www.durham.gov.uk/dyingtobecool