Mother of Ipswich stabbing victim calls for more bleed kits to save lives
She says these bleed kits will be her sons legacy
The mother of a man fatally stabbed in Ipswich has urged communities, businesses and local organisations to install more bleed control kits, saying they could save a life in the crucial minutes before emergency services arrive.
Margaret Oakes set up the Raymond James Quigley Legacy in 2023, shortly after her son James was killed. She said the campaign was inspired by seeing other families work to place bleed kits in public spaces following tragedies.
18-year-old Raymond 'James' Quigley, from Wymondham, was fatally wounded in the attack in Ipswich on January 17th 2023.
19-year-old Alfie Hammett and 19-year-old Joshua Howell were found guilty of his murder at Ipswich Crown Court on 26 January, after a trial lasting over five weeks.
Speaking to us, she said the aim of the charity is to help prevent other families from experiencing the trauma her family continues to face.
“We hope our campaign will achieve saving someone’s life or limbs,” she said. “Some of our kits have already been used. They give people vital minutes until emergency services can reach them.”
Margaret said the bleed kits are not only for knife incidents, but can be used in a wide range of emergencies, including car accidents, industrial injuries, falls, and medical issues such as varicose vein bleeds.
“When we started the legacy in 2023, there were only a few kits in our communities. Catastrophic bleeding can happen in three to five minutes, so there is a real need for more of them,” she added.
The charity now works to place more kits across Norfolk, Norwich and Suffolk, and says it has seen increased awareness from businesses installing their own equipment.
All kits distributed by the organisation are MHRA tested and registered with the East of England Ambulance Service, which Margaret says is a vital part of ensuring they meet emergency standards.
Information inside of a Bleed Kit pack
Information inside of a Bleed Kit pack
She is appealing for the public’s support to help expand their work.
“We’d like the community to donate even 50p or a pound, or help us with events,” she said. “We want bleed kits to be as accessible as possible. It can save your loved one. It can save their limbs. It can save their life.”
Information on donating, fundraising, or purchasing a bleed kit for a business or vehicle is available through the Raymond James Quigley Legacy ‘Save a Life’ website.