Campaigner calls for bleed control kits in schools across East of England
Margaret Oakes son was fatally stabbed in Ipswich back in 2023, she's started this campaign in his memory
A campaigner whose charity distributes emergency bleed control kits is calling for more schools across Norfolk, Norwich and Suffolk to have access to the equipment, saying it could help protect pupils and staff in a range of emergencies.
Margaret Oakes, who set up the Raymond James Quigley Legacy following the death of her son in 2023, said the organisation has begun contacting schools as part of a new campaign to place kits on site.
She said some schools had already responded positively to the initiative.
“A few head teachers we’ve contacted are very appreciative and grateful to have one in their schools,” she said. “They’ve been very supportive.”
Information inside a Bleed Kit
Information inside a Bleed Kit
About the Bleed Kits
Bleed control kits are designed to help manage severe bleeding while emergency services are on their way, using equipment such as tourniquets and compression bandages.
Ms Oakes said the kits were not intended solely for incidents involving weapons, but could also be used in medical emergencies, accidents or serious injuries.
“It’s not just about knife crime,” she said. “Someone could have a bad fall during PE or out on the playground. These kits can help in car accidents too, and they can save limbs as well as lives.”
She acknowledged that discussing emergency equipment in schools could be uncomfortable, but said she believed preparation was necessary.
“It’s sad, but it is the way life is now,” she said. “We just want to know that, if the worst were ever to happen, there are kits there for the safety of pupils and staff that could give vital minutes before emergency services arrive.”
Bleed Kit outside of Jane Austen College
Bleed Kit outside of Jane Austen College
Positive response
Ms Oakes said parents she had spoken to about the campaign had also been supportive, with one parent donating a kit directly to their child’s school.
She added that the organisation is seeing increased awareness nationally, with schools in other parts of the country also installing kits.
All kits distributed by the charity are MHRA tested and registered with the East of England Ambulance Service. Ms Oakes said this allows emergency call handlers to direct callers to the nearest registered kit and talk them through how to use it when 999 is called.
She said formal training is not required to use the kits, but that she would like to see more first-aid education in schools.
“I think it would be really good for staff to have extra training on controlling bleeding, and also CPR,” she said. “Those two things are really important because they can save a life.”
Ms Oakes said the charity currently runs bleed-control awareness sessions in community settings and is developing an education package aimed at schools, which she hopes to roll out early next year.
She added that further optional training courses are available through external providers for those who want additional instruction.
“We’d like children at least to be aware of what these kits are, where they are, and what to do at a minimum,” she said. “Awareness is very important.”
The Raymond James Quigley Legacy places bleed control kits in public spaces across the East of England and raises funds to support wider access to emergency equipment.
Information about the charity’s work, fundraising and donating kits is available through the organisation’s website.