A popular pub in Welling plans to tackle knife crime by installing a “life-saving” bleed control kit.
Pub owners of The Guy Earl of Warwick, Ray Irwin and Bonnie Tarleton, were encouraged to do so by the community work of anti-knife amnesty group, Protect our Children.
Campaigner, Ryan Biddiss, started the group in a bid to get rid of dangerous weapons being used for crime.
After seeing Ryan’s work, Ray and Bonnie were both inspired by him and decided to help the community through bleed kits.
Ray explained: “Ryan does amazing work across the Greenwich borough, and we wanted to help and bring something similar to Welling.
“It’s crucial to have these bleed kits as you don’t know when something serious is going to happen.
“Unfortunately knife crime in London is a big thing the bleed kit can potentially save someone’s live.
“So, we decided to reach out to him (Ryan) and make something happen.”
The kits, which cost £85 each, are designed to treat wounds quickly and effectively by stopping victims from dying at the scene.
Ryan discovered bleed kits through his group and campaigned for them to be installed around London.
He has so far donated five kits that are also available in local shops and roads across Greenwich.
These are located at TJ Premier in Woolwich Church Street, PJ off-license in Sandy Road, Glendon Community Centre, Rose Inn Pub in Waverley Road, and Birchwood Pub in Abbey Wood.
Ray and Bonnie are encouraging other businesses and pubs in the area to have a bleed kit installed.
Ray said: “You never know when someone is going to need it.
“We need to work together as a community to help each other in difficult times.
“Maybe one day, we might have to help someone and potentially save them, you never know.”
Ryan has also called for councils across London to “take action” and to donate bleed control kits in all boroughs.
He feels that many deaths over the years could have been prevented if bleed kits were used everywhere.
Ryan added: “We need our councils to do more and donate kits, whether it’s a local park, train station, or anywhere.
“It’s vital that we get our voices heard so we can save lives.”
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