ESSEX County Council has awarded £15,000 to The Liam Taylor Legacy to purchase and install additional bleed prevention kits at key locations across the county. 

The kits will be installed in fire stations that do not yet have them, as well as other public sites across the county. This latest funding is in addition to the previous £6,000 which supported the distribution of 60 kits across the county.

Bleed prevention kits contain essential equipment to control severe, life-threatening bleeding following incidents such as traffic collisions, serious accidents or violent crime. Quick access to this equipment can save lives in the critical moments before emergency services arrive.

The funding will also support workshops for school-aged children, aimed at young people who may be vulnerable to exploitation. The sessions focus on building emotional intelligence, resilience and awareness of social issues, including mental health and hate crime, while encouraging positive life choices.

The council is working with local campaigner Julie Taylor, who founded The Liam Taylor Legacy following the tragic death of her grandson Liam, aged 19, in Writtle in 2020.

Julie campaigns against knife and violent crime and has raised significant funds to distribute bleed prevention kits across Essex. She was recently awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year’s Honours for services to the community.

Deputy Leader, Councillor Louise McKinlay, who leads on community work, said: “Bleed prevention kits provide vital equipment that can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. While we hope they are never needed, I’m focused on ensuring that more people across Essex will have access to this life-saving resource and that young people are helped to make healthy and positive life choices”

Julie Taylor, from The Liam Taylor Legacy, said: “Six years on from Liam’s passing, I am incredibly proud that his legacy continues through work that saves lives and supports young people at risk.”

The funding forms part of Essex County Council’s ongoing work to improve community safety and early intervention.