GUESTS heard about the 'fantastic' work that goes on educating children in a bid to prevent accidents and save young lives.

SafeWise Weymouth showcased its work and unique facilities in a VIP supporters event to say thank you to supporters and sponsors.

SafeWise, the award-winning interactive safety education charity runs safety centres in Weymouth and Bournemouth.

Each year almost 11,000 children are educated at the centres with the aim of preventing accidents in the home, on the road and at play.

Educators say numerous lives have been saved through the work at SafeWise as the programmes help people to stay safe.

The Weymouth centre, next to the fire station, in Radipole Lane, is also home to the FireWise and RoadWise experiences.

Guests including councillors, supporters, volunteers and trustees gathered to celebrate the success of SafeWise and experience for themselves the work being carried out with their support each day.

Visitors also heard about what is planned at the new safety centre in Wroughton near Swindon which opens in 2018.

During the event, long service awards were presented to volunteers who have completed five years’ service – Paul Hardy and Karen Stewart.

The event was opened by Chairman of SafeWise Geoff Warde and was attended by a number of mayors and council chairmen from across the county.

Speeches were delivered by Lord Lieutenant Angus Campbell, Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill and South Dorset MP Richard Drax, with Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mick Stead and High Sheriff of Dorset John Young bringing the event to a close.

Guests saw first-hand some of the real life educational training that visitors experience including FireWise, an interactive fire survival suite with live fire demonstrations; RoadWise the exclusive outdoor road safety education facility and also a driving simulator where guests experienced how drinking alcohol can impact driving abilities.

Vikki Thomas, SafeWise Weymouth Centre Manager, said “We were delighted to host the inaugural VIP day.

"This is an exciting time for SafeWise with the new centre at Wroughton which combines many of the great aspects of both centres.

"Of course we would not be able to provide these facilities and the essential life skill training they provide to the local children and the community without the ongoing support of our generous sponsors and fantastic volunteers.”

Richard Drax said: “It’s always hard to judge just how effective preventative organisations are as there are no statistics as to how many lives have been saved or injuries prevented. All I do know is that the volunteers do a wonderful job and that both adults and children benefit enormously from the education they receive at the centres, which are professionally and diligently run.”

For more information about SafeWise Weymouth, sponsorship and volunteering opportunities contact Vikki Thomason 07788 305006 or email vikki@safewise.org