Crucial Crew advice given to 1,300 East Suffolk youngsters

Over the past two weeks just under 1,300 schoolchildren have been learning valuable skills in how to stay safe in real-life situations.

Year 6 children given vital safety advice in Lowestoft as part of the successful Crucial Crew initiative. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) It has seen youngsters in Year 6 from 32 schools across East Suffolk take part in Crucial Crew.

Over the years tens of thousands of children from across Lowestoft, Southwold, Beccles and Bungay have taken part in the safety initiative that helps to keep themselves and those around them safe.

Year 6 children given vital safety advice in Lowestoft as part of the successful Crucial Crew initiative. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) And with this year's Crucial Crew held between November 12 and November 22 at Lowestoft Community Church on the south Lowestoft industrial estate, the youngsters were able to experience real-life situations through talks and theatre-based scenarios.

Year 6 children given vital safety advice in Lowestoft as part of the successful Crucial Crew initiative. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) With eight different scenarios, the interactive sessions delivered by professionals in a carousel format included fire safety, alcohol and drug awareness, first aid, water safety, beach safety, how to keep safe online and community safety with Suffolk Police, money awareness and a truck safe demonstration.

Organisers and demonstrators who gave vital safety advice in Lowestoft as part of the successful Crucial Crew initiative. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Having been successfully run for 17 years now, it is now organised by the three Rotary Clubs in Lowestoft with grateful support from associated organisations in and around the district.

Event co-organiser and Rotarian Brian Hunter said: "It's been brilliant.

"We have given the safety lessons to all of the schools in our area - 32 schools bringing just under 1,300 children over the fortnight.

"They have been shown different scenarios around how to keep safe, how to avoid falling into difficulties associated with each and of they do how they and others can get out of them.

One of the scenarios presented as vital safety advice was given to Year 6 children in Lowestoft as part of the successful Crucial Crew initiative. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "Its about keeping people safe - with everything in their lives catered for.

"They all get a certificate when they go back to their schools, so they can remember where they have been and if something happens in their life they can think back to what they did at Crucial Crew."