Medical device moulder Europlaz has donated 25 potential life-saving bleed kits to the Liam Taylor Legacy. The donation was made by the medical manufacturer in memory of local resident Liam Taylor. The 19 year old tragically lost his life to knife crime in 2020.
The Liam Taylor Legacy was founded by Liam’s grandmother, Julie Taylor. Raising money to fund community emergency bags, each lifesaving kit contains essential tools to help stop catastrophic bleeding and give a person a stronger chance of survival while awaiting the arrival of emergency services. Throughout 2024, Europlaz has pledged to play its part in keeping the community safer further by also raising money to support the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.
In three years, Julie has diligently raised more than £35,000 to fund emergency life-saving bleed control kits installed in pubs, clubs and leisure facilities across East Anglia and London. Just recently, one bag helped to stabilise a victim in Chelmsford. “It’s really sad to see another of the donated bags was needed, but glad to see that it was successfully used to save another life,” reported Julie on the campaign Facebook page.
Medical device moulder Europlaz donated 25 bleed control packs in February to Julie (L), who set up the Liam Taylor Legacy in memory of her grandson. Pictured with Denise Allen from Europlaz (R)
The anti-knife crime campaigner emphasises that a person can bleed to death in three minutes, so action needs to be taken fast. There are many ways that a catastrophic bleed can occur. Including a car accident or work related injury. Publicly accessible bleed control packs enables somebody to administer vital first aid to reduce blood loss until medical help arrives. “They make such a difference. I want to see these kits absolutely everywhere. We need them everywhere,” states Julie.
Alongside fundraising Julie devotes her time to educating others about the impact knife crime has on families and candidly sharing their family loss with prisoners serving sentences for knife crime.
Each kit costs £104 and contains gloves, scissors, foil blanket, mouthguard for giving CPR, trauma dressing, chest seal, pack bandage and a tourniquet.
Speaking on behalf of the entire team, Europlaz marketing & communications manager Denise Allen comments: “When meeting Julie we were stunned by her tireless campaigning and fundraising efforts, and at the same time moved by her family’s heart-breaking loss. Our Europlaz team was adamant. If we can make just a small difference and build better national awareness about the personal impact of knife crime, then something positive can come from this tragedy.”
Every year Europlaz asks staff for a list of local charities they want to support. Production operator Josie Shepherd proposed the Liam Taylor Legacy. Julie honoured the company’s request that all 25 donated kits would be placed within the local community.
To support, donate, or to find out more about the Liam Taylor Legacy, visit the website or Facebook page.
