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The mother of Lucas Dobson has joined forces with her local MP to launch calls for a new law on the first anniversary of her son's death.
Announcing the official collaboration today, Kirsty Furze from Deal wants to make it compulsory for young children to wear lifejackets on boats.
Lucas’s Law will also work towards installing more life-saving buoyancy rings near rivers, lakes and seas, and start a new safety awareness campaign for parents of young children to use float suits and swim vests when children are playing near water.
Its aim would be to prevent avoidable deaths of young children near coastal and tidal waters – exactly a year after the death of her six-year-old son who lost his life after falling into the River Stour in Sandwich.
Dover & Deal MP Natalie Elphicke is supporting Lucas’s family – mother Kirsty Furze, grandmother Donna Kentfield and cousin Zoe Alldis – in their mission.
She said: “Many other countries including America, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand already have mandatory lifejacket laws. It’s time for the UK to put in place basic life-saving laws to protect young children near water.
“It only takes a moment for an accident to happen around water that can take a young life. Children’s float suits and swim vests can cost less than a tenner. Like cycle helmets and seatbelts, it just makes sense to be water safe.”
Lucas was enjoying a day out on his dad’s boat at their friend’s privately owned jetty on August 17 last year when tragedy struck.
While his dad was checking an engine on his friend’s boat, the youngster missed his footing trying to jump onto another boat by himself, plunged into the water and was instantly swept under by strong tidal currents.
His body was recovered four days later following a huge community and emergency service search.
The inquest into Lucas' death heard that on that day neither he or his friends were wearing lifejackets.
Lucas’s grandmother Donna said: “Lucas - my Pickle - was full of life, love and laughter.
"His loss has left an emptiness that is overwhelming and indescribable.
“As a family, we want to take action to prevent this from happening to anyone else. This is why we want to see Lucas’ Law implemented so that young lives can be saved and tragic accidents are prevented.
“Life jackets absolutely should be compulsory for children. Young lives are so precious and care needs to be taken when little ones are playing by water.”
Ms Furze has also released a heartfelt tribute to her son on a dedicated Facebook page - Lucas’s Law In Loving Memory Of The Little Boy Who Lit Up The Coast 2019.
Posting in the early hours of today, she wrote: "A whole year without you is so hard. People say it gets easier which is a lie, it only gets harder.
"When you were born you made Mummy's life complete now your gone Mummy's heart is broken into pieces.
"I just wanna (sic) hear your voice, feel your hair, have lots of your cuddles and kisses, watch you play and have little giggles together.
"I miss drawing and colouring with you. I miss cooking your dinner and watching you wake up in the mornings.
"I miss your little face and big blue eyes. I know you're up saying, 'Don’t worry mummy, I’m fine' but I need you here to know you're fine.
"I love you Lucas so much. My heart hurts so much."
The grief stricken mother had also shared a post in the lead up to today in which she described life without Lucas as "barren and empty"
She has invited people to join her along the riverbank at Sandwich Quay to remember Lucas today.
Tributes can be left beneath a weeping willow tree beside the Quay car park.
