Knowsley Council, working in partnership with UNISON, has purchased life-saving bleed control packs which are located with the community defibrillators in the borough’s town centres – Huyton Village Centre (by the barbers), at Kirkby Market and in Prescot town centre (by Wetherspoons).
Life-saving bleed-control packs have been developed by the Ava White Foundation – a 12 year old girl who was murdered by a 14 year old boy in Liverpool City Centre on the 25 November 2021 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls).
The council is supporting the campaign led by Ava’s family to have public venues equipped with life-saving equipment.
The Ava White Foundation was set up by her family to generate awareness and raise money for bleed-control kits, which are designed to treat stab wounds before professional medical help arrives.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “Following Ava’s tragic death, we very much support Ava’s family and their campaign to have life-saving equipment in public areas. We have chosen central places in our town centres which can be easily accessed and locations that are also equipped with defibrillators.”
Jess Aitchison, UNISON Women’s Branch Officer, said: “It’s been an honour for Knowsley UNISON Branch to work in partnership with the Ava White Foundation. This work has not only contributed towards bleed control packs in the borough but across North West Region too. Leeann, Ava’s mum, has worked closely with the Northwest Region Women’s Committee to address the Violence Against Women and Girls agenda.”
Leeann White, Ava’s mum, added: “It’s been a pleasure to work with UNISON as they have helped us branch out outside of Liverpool reaching other communities in the North West Region. This has made people aware of the bleed control kits and highlighted the epidemic of violence against women and girls”.
You can find more information about the work of the Ava White Foundation, and how you can donate to support them, by visiting The Ava White Foundation on Instagram and Facebook.