Callum Baker-Osborne's family returning to Poole one year on

“Selfless hero” Callum drowned aged 18 in July last year in the water off Rockley Park after helping rescue members of his family who had got into difficulties.

Callum saved his niece Aurora’s life by initially holding her above the water and then, after becoming exhausted, by balancing her on his head until she was saved.

As his older sister Samantha told the Echo in August last year: “He was pulling on my shoulder but I was holding my other daughter above the water.

“I was shouting ‘Callum you’re drowning me’, and so he let go and went under the water. That was the last time I saw him.”

One year since the tragedy and the family has raised hundreds of pounds for Poole RNLI who conducted searches for Callum for four days after he disappeared – ultimately finding his body on July 30.

Callum Baker-Osborne, inset, died at Rockley Point in July

A family fun day is being held on Saturday with an aim to raise around £2,000 overall including previous fundraisers.

Callum’s Day is being held on Saturday, July 16, at the Pinley Rugby Football Club in Coventry where members of the community will be able to enjoy rides, a bouncy castle, a football tournament, food and drink, music, raffles and more.

Representatives from the RNLI will also attend the event.

The family will return to Poole in late July to mark the one-year anniversary of Callum’s death, where they will also be reunited with members of the RNLI to present them with the money raised.

Ahead of this, sister Samantha told the Echo: “We’ve always said we’ve wanted to make a difference since Callum passed away.

“We’re still struggling with the trauma and grief but want to turn that into something positive so that his death wasn’t in vain.

“When it was all happening the RNLI weren’t just doing the searches, they were also there for us to talk to and mental health wise they were absolutely incredible. They’ve supported us throughout and have become like family to us. We have a special bond like no-one will ever understand.

Callum Baker-Osborne with his sister Samantha

“It’s just satisfying to know that we can somehow give back. We were at a point in the search where we thought we would never get our Callum back, but they brought him back. So many people are lost to sea forever so for them to bring him back meant everything.

“It’s hard to explain but I feel closer to Callum down in Poole on that beach than here in Coventry. Just to be able to sit on that beach and have peace, it means a lot.”

An RNLI Poole spokesperson said: “We have been in contact with Callum’s family throughout the year and our thoughts are very much with them as the anniversary of his loss approaches.

“The RNLI relies entirely on donations from the public to launch its lifeboats, such as those at Poole. It also allows us to train our lifeguards and share vital safety messages, so any funds Callum's family raise for the charity would be hugely appreciated and will help us continue to save lives at sea.”

Visit crowdfunder.co.uk/p/callums-fundraising-day-for-the-rnli for more information.