Bleed kits 'as important as defibrillators'

Gill Borg Fenech and Raymond Beeson are urging people to leave knives at home

Bleed kits are just as important as defibrillators for saving lives, the grandfather of a murdered man has said.

Raymond Beeson lost his grandson Tom Gaughan, 32, after he was stabbed on a night out in Cleethorpes in July last year.

Mr Beeson has been raising money to buy specialist kits that are designed to save the lives of stab victims.

A family fun day and disco was held at the Fusion club in Grimsby on Saturday to support the campaign.

Daniel Cooke, who is taking part in the campaign, with one of the bleed kits

The kits, which include trauma dressings, bandages and gloves, enable first aiders to stop bleeding before the patient is taken to hospital, with the aim of prolonging their life.

Mr Beeson said he was planning to turn his fundraising into a charity and visit schools to talk to young people about the impact of carrying knives.

"Hopefully these bleed kits will save a life sometime, but hopefully they won’t have to,” he added.

There were more than 50,000 knife crime offences in England and Wales in the 12 months to March 2024, a 4% rise on the previous year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Tom Gaughan suffered fatal stab wounds during a night out

Last month, Connor Hulse, 22, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Mr Gaughan.

Hulse, of Chester Walk, Grimsby, was found guilty of murder in June and was told at Hull Crown Court he must serve a minimum of 23 years.

Gill Borg Fenech, a fellow fundraiser who attended the event, said it was important to bring the dangers of carrying a knife to the public's attention.

“Nobody should have to go through that. It's just got to stop. Leave your knife at home,” she added.

Five bleed boxes have been installed in the area, including this one at Weelsby View Health Centre

Mr Gaughan's family and friends are trying to provide as many bleed kits as possible around the area.

“Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Immingham – anybody who wants one, just ask," said Mr Beeson.

"We'll do the fundraising and get you one as soon as possibly can.

Five larger emergency bleed kit boxes have already been installed at locations around the area.

“It keeps Tom's memory alive for us, keeps us motivated to carry on,” Mr Beeson added.

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