Skip to content

Our Impact

Turning loss into life-saving action

From a family's grief has come real, tangible change across South Yorkshire, equipment in the ground, lessons in classrooms, and a warning the whole region has heard.
0+

Throwlines installed across South Yorkshire

0+

Locations made safer

0+

School & community talks delivered

0

Mission: save at least one life

What we've done

Real change, where it counts

Throwlines installed

Funded and installed throwline stations at open-water sites across South Yorkshire, ready for an emergency.

A barrier at Ulley

Campaigned successfully for a new safety barrier on the bridge at Ulley Reservoir, where Sam was lost.

Talks in schools

Delivered water-safety talks to schools and youth groups, sharing Sam's story with the young people most at risk.

Hillsborough event

Held a throwline awareness event at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium.

A trusted partnership

Works hand-in-hand with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue on prevention and awareness.

National coverage

Sam's mission has been featured by BBC News, ITV News, The Star and the Rotherham Advertiser.

The journey

How Sam's Army grew

  1. 28 May 2021

    The day everything changed

    16-year-old Sam Haycock drowned at Ulley Reservoir while celebrating the end of school and exams with friends. A family, and a community, was left devastated.

  2. 2021

    Sam's Army begins

    Led by Sam's dad, Simon, the family turned unimaginable grief into a mission: to warn others of the dangers of open water and make sure life-saving equipment is there when it's needed.

  3. 2022–2023

    Throwlines start going in

    Working alongside South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and local partners, the charity fundraised for and installed throwline stations at open-water sites across the region, including Thrybergh.

  4. 2024

    A barrier at Ulley & a new throwline

    Years of campaigning led to a new safety barrier on the bridge at Ulley Reservoir and a new emergency throwline unveiled at the site, turning the place of Sam's tragedy into one that could save the next life.

  5. Ongoing

    Talks, events & awareness

    From school assemblies to a throwline event at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium, Sam's Army keeps Sam's story, and its warning, in front of the young people who most need to hear it.

Proof you can stand next to

Where your support goes

Every pin is a place made safer. Explore the throwlines and safety equipment Sam's Army has helped put in place across South Yorkshire.

Help us reach the next reservoir

There are still open-water sites with no life-saving equipment at all. Your gift helps change that.

Donate now Other ways to help