FRIENDS and family of a Poole paramedic who died in a diving accident have set up a charity in his memory.

Popular Dai Rees, 30, died while snorkelling in the Maldives in March 2014.

He was in the country helping locals improve their knowledge of emergency medical treatment.

Now a group of his friends and family are continuing his legacy through the Dai Rees Foundation, teaching doctors, first-aiders and schools in both the Maldives and Nepal about emergency care.

Among them is Mr Rees’s former girlfriend Rachael Smith, 26, who is also a South West Ambulance Service paramedic.

“Dai was a very kind, thoughtful man, and when he saw the Maldivians had little knowledge of or access to emergency care he strived to improve this,” she said.

“We wanted to continue his work.”

As well as a permanent staff of five, the foundation’s volunteers are all Dorset-based paramedics who have undertaken two trips to the Maldives and two to Nepal.

They pay for flights, take the trips during annual leave, and are supported by the charity for living expenses when they arrive.

“We’re teaching the locals about the importance of triage in emergency care, and how to spot when someone is seriously ill and needs to be prioritised,” said Ms Smith.

As well as working with medical staff, the volunteers also teach children and resort staff advanced first aid.

The foundation oversees two groups, the Maldivian Sihhath Initiative – founded by Dai himself months before his death – and Life Support Nepal.

They are registering as a charity, thanks to donations of more than £7,000, and their next trip will be to the Maldives in April.

Visit facebook.com/daireesfoun dation and to donate go to the website gofundme.com/dairees