Lives are set to be saved across North Yorkshire thanks to special kits which are being installed in towns and villages across the county.
Bleed kits are specialised first‑aid equipment which give communities immediate access to vital equipment that can control catastrophic bleeding before the arrival of the emergency services.
The scheme is being led in the county by North Yorkshire Council’s Community Safety Hubs, alongside North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Delivery of 45 Daniel Baird Foundation #controlthebleed kits and cabinets to house them has been made possible thanks to almost £20,000 of funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Community Safety Serious Violence and Community Funds.
The Daniel Baird Foundation was set up after Daniel was fatally stabbed while on a night out in Birmingham in 2017.
It aims to raise awareness of the importance of having publicly accessible bleeding control packs and works closely with local government organisations, community groups and business organisations to get kits into as many venues as possible.
The potentially lifesaving kits, supplied by Turtle Medical, are being installed in Harrogate, Skipton, Selby, Richmond, Leyburn, Colburn, Thirsk, Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley, Malton, Norton, Pickering, Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley, Scarborough, Filey and Whitby.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, whose responsibilities include community safety, said:
“Bleed kits are a simple but powerful way to protect our communities.
“While they are important in urban areas, in rural parts of North Yorkshire, where emergency response times can be longer, having these kits available can quite literally save lives.
“They give local people the tools to act quickly and confidently in a crisis, strengthening our community’s resilience and offering real peace of mind.”
Daniel Baird’s mother, Dr Lynne Baird MBE, has welcomed the rollout.
She said:
“This is another wonderful example of organisations coming together to do more for community safety and resilience.
“I’m delighted many more people across North Yorkshire will be able to access the emergency bleed control kits from the public cabinets should they be faced with a catastrophic bleeding injury.”
The York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles, said:
"Emergency services in York and North Yorkshire respond as quickly as they can, but having specialist equipment already at the scene of an incident can be lifesaving, especially in our rural communities.
“I am delighted that we have been able to support this project through Mayor David Skaith's community safety investment and our work across our region to deliver safe places for everyone."
The installed bleed kits have been logged on a national register, known as the Bleed Map, which launched this month.
A spokesperson for the Bleed Map said:
“While people must remember to call 999 in any emergency, we hope residents across North Yorkshire will go to the website so they know the exact location of these kits as well as others that have been registered so far.”
Full details of where bleed kits are located can be found at https://bleedmap.uk/.
WATCH: Final Harrogate district teacher receives end of term treat
Livestock and showjumping champions crowned on day three of Great Yorkshire Show
WATCH: First look at RHS Harlow Carr's new brick trail
Traffic to use new A59 Kex Gill route for first time next week
Harrogate residents invited to share books at new community library
Eye health report raises concerns over NHS waiting lists in Harrogate
Outdoor Shakespeare comes to Harrogate and Ripon next week
Police investigate disability hate crime in Harrogate
Harrogate naturist club welcomes newcomers for free event
WATCH: 'Incredible' St Mary's teacher wins end of term treat
Ripon Grammar School girls and boys crowned cricket champions
Council accused of "letting the harm continue" after voting against school transport debate
Harrogate home care company named among UK's top 20
Free family community festival planned for Valley Gardens
Aldborough & Boroughbridge Show returns with new attractions
New deputy leader appointed at North Yorkshire Council
Police appeal after driver crashes into parked car in Knaresborough
Large solar farm and battery storage plant near Knaresborough set for approval
Harrogate councillors accused of "childish political stunts" over no confidence vote
Controversial A1(M) services set for final approval
