South Norfolk Council to roll out bleed control kits

South Norfolk Council has said it will introduce bleed control kits across the facilities under its remit, including those in Long Stratton, Framingham Earl and Wymondham. 

Margaret Oakes, mother of 18-year-old Raymond James Quigley, from Wymondham, who was stabbed by members of a rival gang in Ipswich last year, has been working with councillors to see the life-saving equipment installed across the district. 

Gary Blundell, Lib Dem councillor for New Costessey, said: "One of these kits could possibly have saved James' life and his mum has been slowly pushing them out around Norfolk. 

"This is a vital step forward to improving community safety and awareness."

Margaret Oakes with a bleed control kit, which she has campaigned to see rolled out across Norfolk (Image: Margaret Oakes)

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Mrs Oakes has previously seen kits installed at Kett's Pub in Wymondham and Riverside Leisure Centre in Norwich as a result of her campaigning.

South Norfolk Council has now committed to providing the equipment at all of its own centres in Long Stratton, Wymondham, Framingham Earl and Diss - which is currently shut for refurbishment. 

The authority has said staff at these centres will also receive appropriate training to use the kits - which range in cost from £100 to nearly £500 each. 

Raymond James Quigley was stabbed to death in Ipswich on January 17 2023 (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

Raymond James Quigley was attacked in Ipswich's busy shopping district in broad daylight in January 2023, following a feud between two rival Norwich gangs. 

Alfie Hammett and Joshua Howell, both from the Ipswich area and aged 19 during their trial earlier this year, were found guilty of his murder and possession of a weapon in a public place.