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Motion · S6M-15938 · 17 Dec 2024

Paying Tribute to Duncan and Margaret Spiers and the Success of Christopher’s Saving Lives

Lodged by Russell Findlay (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) Standard Motion 29 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament pays tribute to Duncan and Margaret Spiers, who have campaigned to improve water safety and public awareness since their 28-year-old son, Christopher Spiers, tragically drowned in the River Clyde in Glasgow in January 2016; notes that their campaign, which is titled Christopher’s Saving Lives, has created a specialist high-visibility and floating rope, which is produced by Ibex Marina, based in Bury, Lancashire; further notes that the ropes are attached to lifebelts so that the lifebelts can be retrieved once thrown into waterways; understands that a lifebelt thrown to Christopher did not reach him and could not be retrieved, so further attempts could not be made; praises Duncan and Margaret for their success in donating ropes to various organisations; notes that recipients include North Lanarkshire Council, which has attached them to lifebelts along a two-mile stretch of the River Clyde running through Strathclyde Country Park, Glasgow City Council for use alongside the River Clyde in Glasgow city centre, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Scottish Canals and others; understands that the Royal Life Saving Society UK charity is "amazed by the work undertaken" by Duncan and Margaret, and that it backs their campaign; further understands that Duncan and Margaret believe that existing legislation, which categorises the deliberate destruction of ropes, lifebelts and other life-saving equipment as acts of vandalism, is insufficient; understands that they are campaigning for new legislation, which would instead categorise such acts as endangerment of public safety, and wishes Duncan and Margaret well in their campaign to continue saving lives through the promotion of practical measures and raising public awareness.

Supporters (29)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.