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21 May 2004 England Keeper's Finest Save?
The Manchester City man is also fronting a campaign that is intended to save children’s lives. Launched on Monday 24 May by the Quarry Products Association, the Play Safe … Stay Safe campaign warns youngsters of the dangers of playing in quarries where serious injury, or even death, can trap an unwary child. “Quarries may seem like fun places, but they can be dangerous to people who haven’t been trained to watch out for all the potential hazards,” James explained. “The lakes look great for a swim on a hot day, but hidden currents and submerged items can drag you under the water in seconds. “Piles of sand have been known to collapse and suffocate the unsuspecting and rocks and boulders may fall off the cliff face and cause a nasty injury. “I want to encourage parents to find a safe place for their children to play during the summer months, such as a swimming pool, adventure playground or Football in the Community scheme.” Research by association members this year revealed that over half of the country’s quarry managers are concerned about children causing vandalism, motor cycling, playing with machinery and playing on sand stockpiles. More than 200 managers responded to an industry questionnaire and of those 46 per cent were concerned about trespass. Adults who break down fences to go dog walking, or for a stroll, cause one particular problem. They fail to realise that the gap they create will then provide easy access for children on subsequent days. The dangers were made clear at Holcombe Quarry near Shepton Mallet last summer where four teenagers trespassed into the disused quarry through a broken fence. Two jumped from the rock face into the water and one tragically drowned. There were also deaths at a disused quarry in Thirsk, Yorkshire and at a supervised diving school in a Gloucestershire quarry. Elizabeth Clements from the Quarry Products Association said; “Warm weather and school holidays are the danger times when it comes to accidents in quarries. So we want teachers and parents to warn children of the dangers of playing in these places. Wharves, where ships unload quarry materials, are also a danger to unsuspecting youngsters. “The QPA is pleased to have a supporter such as David James backing the Play Safe campaign this year. Hopefully he will inspire youngsters to listen to the safety message and find a safer place to play. “We provide resources that can be used to support this message, and they are free of charge. They include an educational pack for use in schools and a video that graphically illustrates the dangers inherent for children in quarries. “In some areas we are able to work with partner organisations to include the quarry message in a wider and more general safety campaign. “It is a very simple message really. Stay out of quarries unless you are on a supervised visit under the guidance of a quarry manager, or similarly experienced adult, who has received the proper industry training. Trespass and you put yourself in danger.” Copies of the association’s schools resource pack and the accompanying Play Safe ...Stay Safe video are available through QPA-member quarries and wharves.
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England
goalkeeper David James hopes to save more than a few hot shots
from Europe’s top strikers when he plays in this summer’s
European Nations Cup in Portugal. 