Family remember Wellingborough teenager who drowned a year ago
Ronalds Abele's family are campaigning for better water safety training a year on from the 17 year olds death.
Events are being held to remember a Wellingborough teenager, one year on from his death after getting into difficulty in the River Nene.
Ronalds Abele was just 17 when he drowned on 10th May 2024, with his family campaigning on water safety to help others avoid facing the same tragedy.
Ronalds' father Thomas Akyere tells us 80 people so far have been helped by their water safety training courses, with five free lifesaving courses having run since October at Waendel Leisure Centre:
"When he was lying down, gone, I made a promise to him that we would do as much as we can as a family, and we are doing a lot but there is still a lot more to be done."
The family say they are looking for help to continue funding these sessions
Thomas says it's not just helpful for the waterways in the county, but for those who may travel on holiday, for their children to know what to do when they enter the sea as well.
Today his family are honouring his memory on The Embankment where he sadly passed away. They're welcoming the public to join his family and friends in remembering him.
They're meeting at the café at 1pm to walk to the lower lock and lay flowers and pay their respects.
Ronalds old College Wrenn School held an event in his honour for pupils yesterday. Thomas says tomorrow the family will also remember the 17 year old.
Tomorrow the family will remember him at a church service at St Marks Church in Wellingborough.