August 14 2007

A PERTH nightclub is set to host a marathon fund-raising tribute to a popular musician who died in a water accident last year.

The Bliss and Envy venue on Canal Street will play host to the second Motionfest, to raise awarenes of the recently-formed Safe-Tay charity, on September 1.

The cream of the Fair City's rock bands as well as acts from Aberdeen and Dundee will take part in the event, which has been organised in memory of the late drummer Graham Motion, from Abernethy.

WE MUST MAKE THIS RIVER SAFE
May 18, 2007-Perthshire Avertiser

A PERTHSHIRE woman who lost her brother in a tragic Tay incident has launched a charity to help prevent more lives being lost.

Lisa Stuart, sister of Graham Motion who drowned in the Tay last July, is keen to ensure lessons of the dangers of the River Tay are learned by local residents. She told the PA: “After what happened to my brother last year we realised there was no water safety strategy in place, or anything like it, in Perth to educate people.

“We are trying to develop that and make this a safe community for all.”

Lisa is establishing the ‘Safe-Tay in Perth’ charity – a voluntary group dedicated to promoting water safety and preventing future tragedies – and is keen to hear from anyone interested in helping out.

'SAFE-TAY' FIRST FOR HOLYROOD

May 29, 2007-Perthshire Advertiser

BACKING has been given to a charity seeking to make the River Tay safer – and a local politician is planning to raise the issue at national level this week.

Hot on the heels of news of the launch of Safe-Tay in Perth by Lisa Stuart, sister of Graham Motion who drowned in the River Tay last summer, Scottish Parliament politician Roseanna Cunningham hopes to raise the issue in Holyrood this week.

The SNP MSP has asked if the Scottish Executive will review arrangements to rescue people from moving water.

THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY (FERGUS EWING) Responsibility for the co-ordination of land-based and inland water search and rescue rests with the Police, given their duty to protect life and property. That responsibility is undertaken in partnership with others, such as the fire and rescue services and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

ROSEANNA CUNNINGHAM: The situation that the minister describes is not borne out in practice. The phrase, “persons trapped in moving water” is used by the fire service to describe drowning incidents, of which there are an increasing number, including in the River Tay at Perth.

Is the minister aware that no emergency services is specifically charged with the duty to carry out such rescues, which has resulted in inconsistent practice in Scotland and the threat of disciplinary action against officers who carry out rescue? In the circumstances, will he agree that the situation cannot continue, for the sake of community and individual safety, and in fairness to the fire officers, who carry out those rescues?

June 22, 2007

HOPES are high that a desperate river rescue in Perth, which ended in tragedy last summer, will never happen again – thanks to the hard work of a new local charity.

Almost a year ago promising young Perthshire musician Graham Motion drowned in a tragic river incident in the River Tay.

As rescuers desperately scrambled to try and save the struggling 20-year-old from the water, they were horrified to discover the lifebelt stands near the Tay had been vandalised and vital lifesaving buoyancy aids removed.

Now, in a move to help prevent a repeat of the tragedy, a charity set up by Graham’s sister, 33-year-old Lisa Stuart, received approval from emergency services and the council this week to forge ahead with a safety scheme which could see an alarm fitted to the lifebelts at the Queen’s Bridge.

Linked to the local CCTV system, the alarm – which uses mobile phone technology and each cost less than £1000 would alert police the moment anyone tries to remove the lifesavers.