Knowle West stabbings: Charity walk to raise money for bleed kits

Max's family said he was "loved by many"

The mother of a teenager who was fatally stabbed is calling for more life-saving bleed kits.

A 30-mile (48km) charity walk from Weston-super-Mare to Bristol began earlier, to raise money for kits.

It has been organised in memory of best friends, Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, who were stabbed in Knowle West, Bristol, on 27 January.

Leanne Eckland, Max's mother, said a bleed kit "could have saved my boy's life."

Her partner, Trevor Silk, is part of the group embarking on the challenge.

So far, more than £1,100 has been raised for the cause.

Leanne Eckland said: “My family’s life is never going to be the same again"

Speaking ahead of the charity walk, Ms Eckland said she had never heard of bleed kits prior to her son's death.

"We need people to be more aware of these bleed kits and they need to be out there and people need to know how to use them."

The kits, which contain contain equipment including bandages and tourniquets to help stem the flow of blood in an emergency, are being installed around the city.

They were created by Leanne Reynolds, an anti-knife campaigner and the founder of the Bristol Bleed Campaign.

The kits contain equipment including bandages and tourniquets, to help stem the flow of blood

She said each kit had the potential to save a life in the crucial moments before an ambulance can arrive.

Max's funeral was held on Thursday, and Mason's was held on Friday.

Family, friends and members of the local community attended both services.

"You don't really take much notice to [knife crime] happening, but when it happens to you then it brings it home and it makes you realise that something needs to be done.

"It's not fair and it's not right," Ms Eckland said.

"Parents shouldn't be burying their children.

"My family's life is never going to be the same again, but if something positive can come out of Max and Mason's death then I will try and do what I can to do that."

Mason Rist (left) and Max Dixon (right) died after being stabbed in Knowle West on 27 January

Seven people have been charged - five with murder - in connection with the deaths of Max and Mason. They remain in custody.

A provisional trial date of 7 October has been fixed for the group facing murder charges.

They include four youths, aged 14, 15, 16 and 17, and 44-year-old Anthony Snook, of Hartcliffe.

Jamie Ogbourne, 26, of Bishport Avenue and 22-year-old Bailey Westcott, of Vowell Close, who are both accused of two charges of assisting an offender, will also appear.

Floral tributes were left at the scene where Max and Mason were stabbed