Mikey’s World, founded in memory of a Kingswood 16-year-old who was fatally stabbed last year, is installing 20 bleed kits around the area in the hope of preventing future tragedies.
The charity, founded by Mikey Roynon’s mum Hayley Ryall, has teamed up with Avon & Somerset police, HeartSafe , and NHS England South West as part of the Avon and Somerset Bleed Kit Partnership.
The first of the emergency first aid kits, containing dressings and tourniquets to stop bleeding, was installed at the Cossham Inn in Kingswood, which is a big supporter of the charity and even has a mural of Mikey.
Others have been placed at venues including Bar 510, Browns Bar, Anchor Day Nursery, AEK Boco FC, Kingswood Rugby Club, Hanham Woods Academy and Bristol Brunel Academy. A map showing the location of the kits is at https://www.heartsafe.org.uk/bleed-kit-map/
Mikey’s World has also been busy running training sessions for schools and community groups in how to use the kits.
Hayley, who is supported by family and friends including her partner Scott and Mikey’s Dad Spike, channels her grief over Mikey’s death in June last year into the charity and into efforts to reduce knife crime.
She told the BBC: “A bleed kit wouldn’t have saved Mikey, I know that. But it’s not about that, it could save another family from going through hell.
“We wanted to raise awareness of the severity that a knife injury can cause and how quickly somebody can lose their life. They’ve got three minutes on an artery wound.
“I don’t think that people are aware of that. An ambulance can’t get there in three minutes.”
Avon and Somerset police are aiming to install 500 kits by the end of 2024.
Many local people and organisations have been raising funds for Mikey’s World, among them the Kings Arms, the Kings Head, Bar 510, the Portcullis in Staple Hill and Tuckers butchers. A six-a-side football tournament held at Hanham Athletic’s ground last month raised £5,739.