Matthew has pledged his support for the Royal Life Saving Society UK and the crucial work it does in reducing drowning, providing water safety education and lifesaving awards across the UK and Ireland.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK sent representatives to Parliament to obtain support ahead of its annual national campaign, Drowning Prevention Week, which this year runs from June 20th to June 28th. Throughout the afternoon, CPR workshops and water safety advice sessions were held, where the RLSS UK invited Matthew and other MPs to find out more about the charity and how best MPs can support their constituents. Matthew then signed the RLSS UK’s pledge ‘to support RLSS UK in their aim to reduce the rate of drownings in the UK’.

Matthew said: "As a teenager I qualified as a Beach Lifeguard under the Australian Surf Lifesaving Association scheme and worked on the beaches in Cornwall. I am often asked how many people I saved from drowning. It is hard to say because some of those I pulled out of the water had other health problems such as a stroke or heart attack but what they all had in common is that they intended to be in the water swimming. Many people who drown away from beaches end up falling in water for a variety of reasons. Consequently I believe everyone should know how to assist someone who ends up struggling in water. The RLSS can help with training and I will encourage schools to seek presentations about water safety. To answer the question of how many people I believe I rescued, I think it was 17."

RLSS UK Chief Executive, Di Steer, said: “The number of accidental drowning incidences has, over the last few years, reached a plateau of around 400. There is no quick fix to get this number down further. We can’t do it alone. We need everyone’s help to raise awareness about the reality of accidental drowning, and to get water safety at the forefront of people’s minds.”