My pledge: Hundreds of students sign the poem-like Charter on Swimming Pool Cleanliness at the Lai Chi Kok Park Swimming Pool, vowing to keep pools clean.

A charter has been launched to encourage people keep swimming pools clean and foster civic conscientiousness among the next generation.

The Charter on Swimming Pool Cleanliness is one of the publicity initiatives featuring the cute cartoon character McDull to drive home the keep-pools-clean messages.

It is designed to be kept as a motto in the form of a bookmark, so that children can constantly remind themselves of the concise six-point pledge: "Take a shower from head to toe, through the footbath you should go. Please make sure that you are seen, wearing only what is clean. In the water nothing spill, and do not swim if you are ill."

Apart from the charter, publicity materials including posters, publications, educational signage and a TV announcement will be produced.

To invite children to sign the charter, keyholders featuring McDull and the swimming pool cleanliness message will be offered to those who sign the charter and return the reply slip.

Community Sports Committee Chairman Chau How-chen said with the support of the committee and district councils, the charter will help achieve the keep-clean goal.

Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Anissa Wong said keeping public facilities clean is a virtue that should be instilled from childhood. She called on children to join with McDull the civic-minded piglet to keep pools clean.

The charter will be available at public swimming pools and the LCSD district leisure services offices.