“Please, I’m begging you - don’t take the risk”
Michelle Guest, the mother of Holli Smallman, 15, said she is “not telling parents what to do with their children” but is hoping that her family’s heart-breaking experience can “ask you to please be mindful and stay safe”.
Holli’s death last August after entering the river on the outskirts of the town shattered the area. A multi-agency response failed to save the popular 15-year-old’s life, but Michelle has given MyWelshpool permission to use her statement this week in a bid to spread the message about river safety.
Here is Michelle’s message in full:
“The sun is shining, not all families can afford to take their kids on holidays or days out to the beach… with living in a small town there is only one place children will want to go and splash – the river.
“Last year I lost my 15-year-old daughter in that water. Did she know this would happen? No of course not.
“I’m not writing this to scare anyone, I don’t want to scare anyone of the water. I’m not telling anyone to stay away from the river, it would be the best thing for kids if they did but it is not my place to tell parents to do that. I’m just asking you to please be mindful and stay safe.
“I lost my daughter far too soon and I’ve been trying ever since to get the support and knowledge to raise awareness of water safety especially the weirs (if you don’t know what one is Google it and you’ll know this is how my doll passed).
“This post is not me telling parents what to do with their children. I’m not about that at all. But I’d rather do my part as a grieving mother raising awareness of dangerous waters than have something happen again and not to have done anything.
“Please be mindful. Please be safe. If I could turn the time back for my daughter God only knows I would in a heartbeat. I can’t though so I’ll do the next best thing and keep going with raising awareness in memory of her.”
Holli’s sister, Kyla Thomas, has also backed the safety campaign by adding: “The river may look peaceful, even inviting - but it hides powerful currents, sudden drops, freezing temperatures, and dangers you can’t see.
“It doesn’t give second chances. My sister was full of life, laughter, and dreams. She had so much ahead of her. And now she’s gone, just like that.
“Please, I’m begging you - don’t take the risk. Don’t jump in ‘just for fun’ or ‘just for a second’.
“Talk to your friends, your kids, your siblings. Make sure they know the truth. No picture or TikTok or thrill is worth a life. We never think it’ll happen to us - until it does.
“I’m sharing this with all the love and pain in my heart, in the hope that it reaches even just one person. Don’t let another family go through this. Stay away from the river this summer. Stay safe. Come home.”
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