A charity set up after the death of a 13-year-old boy in Marlow nine years ago said they are 'saddened' by vandalism of the safety equipment set up in his name.

Kyrece Francis was just 13-years-old when he passed away while swimming in the Marlow stretch of the River Thames on July 22, 2014.

This month marks the ninth anniversary of Kyrece's death. The teen, who passed away just a few weeks before his 14th birthday, was described by Tracy Chamberlain, a trustee of the Kyrece's Legacy charity, as a "warm, giving and beautiful soul" with a "friendly and caring nature".

Kyrece's Legacy was set up in 2014 with the aim of raising awareness about water related dangers and has helped to fund the installation of lifesaving equipment along the Thames in Marlow, including torpedo b'line devices that can provide help to people struggling in the water within minutes.

Last week, days before the ninth anniversary of Kyrece's death, a Marlow resident discovered that one of the b'line devices had been dismantled and thrown into the river.

Laura Ruth shared a photo of the vandalised equipment in the Marlow Life Facebook group, adding: "I just retrieved all of these from the river and under the bridge. I didn't know what else to do with them."

Bucks Free Press:

Mica Millington, Kyrece's aunt and another trustee of the charity, said she was "deeply saddened" by the discovery.

Adding: "We are only a small team running the charity and rely on friends, family and the community to help us keep an eye on the units.

"Whilst we are glad these instances are few and far between and that when they do happen, members of the community will reach out to us so we can quickly retrieve or replace them, in an ideal world we wouldn't have to respond to such messages.

"Please continue to let us know if you notice any units which have been vandalised and their location so that we can arrange to have them cleaned or replaced. Thank you to everyone for your continued support."

Speaking in 2020, Tracy Chamberlain told the Bucks Free Press that "placing safety units along the Thames seemed a fitting way to remember Kyrece, still helping others as he always had". 

The anniversary of Kyrece's death, and the vandalism of the equipment, come shortly before World Drowning Prevention Day, which is held annually on July 25. 

Great Marlow School, where Kyrece was a student and star football player before his death, released a statement last week urging parents and schoolchildren to be cautious around water during the summer holidays.

A spokesperson said: "As a school and community, we have suffered the loss of students drowning in open water.

"Tragically, around 400 people needlessly drown in the UK every year and thousands more suffer injury, some life-changing, through near-drowning experiences.

"Drowning is the third highest cause of accidental death of children in the UK. It is imperative that all parents, carers and students are aware of the risks and how to keep safe." 

Click here to learn more about World Drowning Prevention Day, via the Royal Life Saving Society UK.