RESIDENTS appalled by the tragic toll of deaths in York’s rivers now have a chance to help prevent more tragedies.

The Sunshine Campaign, which aims to raise £45,000 to buy a new craft for York Rescue Boat, was launched online last night and has already collected £440.

It has been created by the family of teenager Sonny Ferry, who is one of four people to have drowned in York's rivers in a fortnight earlier this month.

People can donate to the appeal by going to https://www.gofundme.com/the-sunshine-campaign.

Sonny’s family said:”The campaign is a family effort hoping to raise £45,000 to cover the cost of a desperately needed, fully kitted rescue boat The Humber Destroyer 7m. All funds will go directly to the York Rescue Boat charity.

“The campaign has been initiated after our sweet, beautiful child Sonny perished in the River Foss in the early hours of Saturday April 13.

“Tragically, after recently meeting with Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, two members of the York Rescue boat team, at the offices of the York Press, we were to discover that our story was just one of so many more similar tragedies that occur in York and across the UK, in our rivers and waterways.

“In York alone, there have been four deaths within a two week period.

“The current boat in use is woefully inadequate. If someone is pulled from the river, the boat is not even large enough for the rescue team to perform potentially lifesaving procedures.

“The kit on the old boat does not give the volunteer rescuers the best chance of pulling a casualty from the water even if the casualty is just metres from the rescue boat.

“The New Boat will include the following desperately needed kit:

*A new Radio System enabling the whole rescue team to be able to communicate with each other immediately an alert is made. Everybody arrives much faster - for somebody in the cold water every second truly counts.

*Throwlines, Lifebouys and Reach Pole, meaning the team have the best chance of pulling out a casualty who is unconscious, or conscious but too cold to help themselves.

*3D Scanning Sonar - fitted to the patrol boat. With this the team will be able to accurately map the river depth, spot hazards under the water and speed up the detection of a casualty who has submerged under the water.

“The Sonar mapping will be shared with other emergency services, and boat owners using the river Ouse. It would also be used to track changes in the river due to flooding in the city.

“Ultimately the new boat will far more efficient, saving on running costs. Currently fuel is one of the charity’s three biggest costs.

“The entire river rescue team Is run by volunteers - nobody is paid, and the only protective clothing that they don't pay for themselves are their helmets.

“And please remember: “Our sweet precious boy is safe now, no longer is he lost in the dark, he is no longer frightened, he is no longer so very cold, or in any pain, he is no longer screaming for help, and he is no longer gasping for air, it is for every other child, every precious person still breathing we need to do this.”

“Thank you The Ferry Family x”