HARD-HITTING travel advice from the charity set up in memory of tragic Caroline Stuttle may have already helped save lives.

York medical student Heather Rodgers was one of the first people to watch a pioneering new safety video produced by Caroline's Rainbow Foundation - the charity set up by Caroline's mother, Marjorie.

Caroline was 19 when she was thrown from a bridge in Bundaberg, Australia, while she was backpacking in 2002. Her killer, Ian Previte, is serving a life sentence for her murder.

Heather was shown the film by her mum, Pam, who works for the foundation.

She believes the footage helped save her and three friends' lives when they were confronted by knife and baton-wielding men demanding money in a terrifying ordeal while trekking in the Himalayas.

The Dunnington 23-year-old, who was at New Earswick Primary School with Caroline, said: "We were absolutely terrified. The guy in our group wanted to make a stand - to protect us.

"But I remembered the video I'd seen, which said you should never fight back. I held onto him to stop him. In the end, we lost our money and cameras, but it could have been a lot worse."

Police and educationalists have been consulted on safety messages in the 15-minute video, which gives advice on how to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Marjorie said: "I have always said that if the film saves a single life, it will have been worth all the hard work. For it potentially to have achieved this before it's even been launched is absolutely marvellous."

BBC Radio York raised £25,000

to help fund the film after a public appeal. The video covers mugging, drug rape and theft, and includes a scene in which a young traveller is stabbed after showing resistance when mugged.

Heather said: "In Nepal, we panicked. But even then I remembered the video - especially the stabbing scene. I kept thinking, that could be us. I travelled in Australia in my gap year. As soon as I started watching the video, I realised how many mistakes I had made - such as wandering through strange areas after dark."

Neighbours actor Blair McDonough, who is the presenter on the video, was due in York today for its launch at Royal York Hotel.

Blair, who plays Stuart in the Australian soap, said: "I got involved in the Rainbow Foundation video because the numbers of English backpackers we meet yearly are massive.

"To be able to encourage them to keep coming to see our beautiful country, it's important for them to know how to travel safe and still have an enjoyable time."

The video will be distributed free to schools and colleges across York and North Yorkshire, along with supporting teaching material.

Updated: 09:39 Thursday, August 04, 2005