On Wednesday 19th February 2020 the Employability Team at Nottingham Trent University will be doing a sponsored swim at Harvey Hadden Sports Village Nottingham. Collectively we are aiming to swim a minimum of the equivalent of the English Channel in 6 hours. We are all really excited to be taking part in this event and hope to raise as much money as possible to support OWEN (Open Water Education Network).The money we raise will provide water safety delivery packages that will be used to deliver open water safety awareness to children and young people. Please read the story behind OWEN:

OWEN JENKINS 26.11.2004 – 10.07.2017

Monday 10th July 2017 was a tragic day. 12-year-old Owen Jenkins from Beeston Rylands went into the water at Beeston Weir and lost his life. He died a HERO, having gone in to rescue two girls who were struggling in the strong currents. Owen managed to help the first girl to safety when he went back to save the second girl he was taken by the current and went under the water, the current was too strong, and sadly Owen drowned.

There is no more imaginable heartbreak for a parent but for Owen’s mum Nicola, Owen’s death could not and should not be in vain.

She has persevered through grief to set up the OWEN- Open Water Education Network – a programme that will deliver open water safety awareness to children and young people. For Nicola, this not only ensures that Owen’s name lives on, but that Owen will continue to save lives, even after his death.

“We haven’t been without Owen for very long, it’s been hardest months that you can imagine a rollercoaster of emotions. But, the very idea that through this programme we could be changing or even saving lives keeps me going and I know Owen would be proud of us all for doing something so positive.”

“I can’t explain how exceptional Owen was. He was bright with an infectious personality, laughing and smiling, always polite and so considerate nothing was ever too much trouble. It was totally in keeping with his personality that he went into the water that day to help his friends in trouble. We are proud of him and for the life he lived. It’s now our job to make sure he can continue to have an impact on people after his death. That’s what he would have wanted, to help others as he always did.”

Owens legacy will live on with the OWEN programme being delivered in schools and clubs firstly in Broxtowe and then further.