Mike Buckley was at Boldon School yesterday to give a talk to pupils ahead of the summer holidays.

The 32-year-old was left fighting for his life in hospital after he broke his neck and fractured his skull as he jumped into a shallow stretch of river while drunk.

Even now, 11 years after the accident he still suffers because of the injuries he sustained.

His visit to the New Road school in Boldon Colliery – and to St Joseph's RC School, Hebburn, and Hebburn and Jarrow comprehensives – was part of the SmartRisk charity's 'Heroes' programme to make youngsters aware of the hazards they face in everyday life.

Mr Buckley, from Buckinghamshire, will have given talks to more than 3,000 pupils at the four schools by the end of the week.

He said: "Young people really need to think what they are doing. They shouldn't be thinking that injuries can't happen to them, because they can.

"That's what I used to think. I used to take all sorts of risks with my life, and it's not until something like this happens that you realise it can happen to anyone.

"They should think first before they take the risk."

The 50-minute interactive show, aimed at youngsters aged 11 to 18, is being sponsored by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Community safety area manager Steve Stokoe said: "We know some people, especially young people, do not respond to being told not to do something. In some cases, they may well do the opposite.

"All too often, we attend incidents, like road traffic accidents and fires, which could have been avoided if a safer approach to the risk had been taken."

SmartRisk chief executive Mike Ramsden added: "What happened to Mike was not an accident.

"It was not unavoidable, destiny or bad luck. It was the result of a poor choice.

"The SmartRisk Heroes programme makes it clear that it is your choice, your life and your responsibility.

"It is all about encouraging young people to be more aware and more informed about their behaviour."

Boldon School's citizenship co-ordinator, John Love, said: "The programme has made an enormous impact on the young people.

"It is very hard-hitting, as it tells someone's personal story, which helps pupils to understand the reality of taking risks."

Pupil Olivia Baker, 13, said: "The presentation was really good, and it does make you think about risks and what can happen if you take them."