Bristol Rovers see vital bleed kit installed at The Mem by RRT and Avon and Somerset Police

A new bleed kit has been installed at The Memorial Stadium after a donation from the charity Rapid Relief Team (RRT) in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police which could prove to be a life saving addition in the community.

Bleed kits are special trauma kits that provide bystanders with the necessary products they need to stop life-threatening bleeding until paramedics arrive, something that first aid kits don't. The latter are used to treat minor injuries such as a scrape where a bleed kit can be used after potentially life-threatening incidents such as motor vehicle accidents or stab wounds.

Each bleed kit includes two trauma dressings, two pairs of gloves, two haemostatic dressings, one thermal blanket, instructions, scissors, a whistle and a tourniquet.

Only last weekend were there as many as three stabbings in Bristol with such incidents becoming worryingly frequent in the city. The deaths of teenagers Max Dixon, Mason Rist and Darrian Williams earlier this year saw an outpouring of grief across Bristol and the continued installation of such kits is vital.

Adam Tutton, CEO of the Bristol Rovers Community Trust, emphasized the importance of having these bleed kits installed within the community. "Having bleed kits readily available in our community is crucial. They are not just for knife-related injuries but can be used in any situation where there is a catastrophic bleed. This initiative by RRT and Avon & Somerset Police is a vital step in ensuring that our community is prepared to handle such emergencies effectively."

Roland Coldrick, a local volunteer with the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), said, “RRT has donated 10 of these bleed kits to various communities throughout the Bristol area, and we are delighted to have one of them installed in such a prominent location at Bristol Rovers FC. We are very glad to play our part in supporting Heartsafe, working alongside Avon & Somerset Police to help save lives and create awareness of this great initiative."

Clive Setter from HeartSafe said: "Since we launched the first community bleed kit in Bristol City Centre last September, we've had an overwhelmingly positive response and calls from other members of our community who wish to support the roll out. We want to thank Bristol Rovers for their latest efforts in leading the way in our communities and ensuring that our more and more people will have access to this provision should they find themselves, or others, in desperate need of medical attention."