Mum of stabbed boy takes campaign to Westminster

Leanne Ekland (L) with her son Max Dixon who was fatally stabbed in January

The mother of a teenager who was fatally stabbed has travelled to Westminster to persuade politicians to add bleed-kit training to the national curriculum.

Max Dixon, 16, died in hospital after being stabbed in Knowle West, Bristol, on 27 January.

His mother, Leanne Ekland, said she also wants lessons highlighting the consequences of carrying knives to be taught in secondary schools.

Max's best friend, Mason Rist, 15, was killed alongside him on the same night.

Ms Ekland and friend Carly Kingdon, who went to Westminster with her on 23 April, met the Minister for Schools Damien Hands to discuss their proposals.

A petition set up by the pair to make bleed-kit training compulsory in secondary schools has attracted more than 3,000 signatures.

Leanne Ekland (middle left) and Carly Kingdon (right) travelled to Westminster to campaign for bleed-kit training in schools and met MP Damian Hinds (left)

Max and Mason were injured in Ilminster Avenue in the Knowle West area of the city, and neighbours went to help the teenagers before they died hours later in hospital.

Ms Ekland said: "Now we need the whole country to listen and see just how important this sort of training and awareness is - for everybody.

"This is personal to me, and I know speaking out can make this important campaign even stronger.

"If we could create positive change when it comes to knives in society that could keep Max's memory alive for all the right reasons, forever."

Mr Hinds, MP for East Hampshire, said: "Schools can tailor their teaching to suit the issues that their pupils face, including focusing on knife crime as part of the ‘criminal exploitation’ parts of the relationships, sex and health curriculum."

Further hearing in June

Nine people appeared in Winchester Crown Court on Friday charged in connection with the deaths of Max and Mason.

Of the nine, five were adults and four were youths.

The four youths - two boys aged 15 and two boys aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons - are charged along with Anthony Snook, 44, of Hartcliffe, Bristol, with murdering Mason and Max.

Jamie Ogbourne, 26, of Bishport Avenue, Bailey Westcott, 22, of Vowell Close, Jillian Tolliver, 49, from Hartcliffe, all in Bristol, and Kristian Hooper, 46, from Weston-super-Mare, each face two charges of assisting an offender.

Mrs Justice May has adjourned the case for a further hearing, which will take place at Bristol Crown Court on 7 June.

A provisional trial date of October 7 was previously fixed.