Ben Cheshire was just 17 years old when he tragically lost his life in the sea in Crete on 19 June 2026.

Ben was adventurous, kind, full of life and loved the water. His loss has left an unimaginable space in the lives of everyone who loved him.

But his story can also create change.

Ben’s Legacy™ was created to help young people understand water, recognise danger and know what to do when something goes wrong.

We cannot change what happened to Ben.

But through education, awareness and practical water-safety skills, we can help prevent another young person and another family experiencing the same tragedy.

Three simple actions that could save a life.

Stop and recognise the danger. Water conditions can change quickly and hazards such as currents and rip currents are not always obvious.

Get help. Alert an adult, lifeguard or emergency services rather than putting yourself in danger attempting a rescue.

If you are in difficulty, stay as calm as possible, float, control your breathing and conserve your energy while help is coming.

Know the water. Recognise the risk. Know what to do.

Ben’s Legacy is developing a practical, age-appropriate water-safety education programme for children and young people.

Our aim is for water-safety education to become something young people learn before they find themselves in an emergency.

The programme is being developed to include:

• Water-safety education for secondary-age pupils
• A core Year 7 programme with learning revisited as young people get older
• School assemblies and awareness sessions
• Alternative Provision and home-education sessions
• Understanding currents, rip currents and changing water conditions
• What to do if you or somebody else gets into difficulty
• Safe rescue choices and why entering the water to save somebody can put a second life at risk
• Practical learning experiences
• Accredited learning opportunities where appropriate

Our ambition is simple:

Give young people knowledge they will remember when it matters most.

Ben’s Legacy is being developed for mainstream schools, Alternative Provision, SEND settings and home-educated young people.

Sessions are designed to be engaging, meaningful and relevant to the situations young people may encounter as they become more independent — from holidays abroad and days at the beach to rivers, lakes and other open water.

We want young people to leave understanding not only what the dangers are, but what actions they can take to protect themselves and their friends.

Schools, education professionals, water-safety organisations and community partners interested in supporting or becoming involved with Ben’s Legacy are warmly invited to get in touch.

Contact us to register your interest.

Ben’s Legacy is being developed with the aim of bringing together education and water-safety expertise.

We are building relationships with schools, educators, water-safety professionals and organisations who share the belief that young people deserve practical water-safety knowledge.

Our long-term ambition is to see meaningful water-safety education reaching young people across the UK.

One conversation can create awareness.
One lesson can create knowledge.
That knowledge could one day save a life.

Ben was 17.

He should have had a lifetime ahead of him.

His name, his story and his love of the water will now be used to educate, raise awareness and help protect other young people.

Forever loved.
Forever remembered.
Forever making a difference.

Know the water. Recognise the risk. Know what to do.