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A firefighter who has been campaigning for water safety in memory of his son is retiring after 24 years. Dave Irwin has raised thousands of pounds for water safety equipment after his son Ross drowned. The firefighter, 50, said he would never forget the support of his colleagues following the tragic event. Dale Howey, from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), said Dave's legacy would "continue to save lives for years to come". On 23 December 2016, Dave lost his son Ross when he drowned in the River Wear in Fatfield, Washington following a night out. It was believed that the 22-year-old lost his footing on the water's edge along the river bank - after telling friends he was going to get a taxi home. Dave has been campaigning for water safety in recent years, raising more than £3,000 for water safety equipment during a sponsored walk at Scafell Pike in the Lake District. He helped to oversee the installation of life-saving throwline equipment along the stretch of the River Wear where Ross lost his life.