The launch of a national outdoor safety project, part-funded with £40,000 of Welsh Government money was held at Plas Menai.

On July 5,  the National Outdoor Centre for Wales, played host to more than 300 schoolchildren and members of the public who visited to take part in RNLI Swim Safe sessions, as well as meet emergency services and sport partners who offered advice about safety outdoors.

The event saw the launch of Adventure Smart Wales, an exciting new project that has been funded by the Welsh Government through Visit Wales’ tourism product innovation fund.

The project, aimed at keeping people safe while enjoying activities outdoors, encourages partnership working and innovative ideas, which will attract more visitors to Wales.

Led by the Outdoor Partnership, the project has support from key partners from across Wales, including mountain rescue teams, police, national parks, national governing bodies, the RNLI, local authorities, Sport Wales and many more.

Tracey Evans, chief executive officer at the Outdoor Partnership, said: “We are excited to get started in leading this new project and working with partners to enable local communities to be confident and adventure smart.

“The objective is to create a healthy and more equal Wales of cohesive communities and we look forward to co-ordinating it and striving to achieve this.”

While the outdoor event had a serious message about safety, it did also include lots of fun activities and displays from the likes of Beaumaris Lifeboats, search and rescue and the Newfoundland dogs, Storm and Sonar, who were on the scene alongside their handler Pete Lewin to demonstrate the excellent work they do saving lives out at sea.

Hope Filby, of Plas Menai, said: “As the first place in Wales to run the Swim Safe scheme last year, we are proud to have been able to run it again this summer. Awareness events such as these are very important for local families and tourists alike.”