Thousands of children from across Sefton have been taking part in and supporting the third annual #kNOwKnifeCrime initiative.
The event included a relay run between Bootle and Southport on Wednesday (23rd April 2025) which saw pupils and staff from nine schools in Southport Learning Trust running 30 miles between them!
Campaigners who ran included Laura Hughes, the founder of #kNOwKnifeCrime and Alex Rigby, who last year won the Sefton Charity Champion Awards at the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
There is lots more happening this week too, culminating with the London Marathon this weekend.
Schools in the Trust include: Birkdale High School; Greenbank High School; Kew Woods Primary School; Maghull High School; Meols Cop High School; Range High School; Stanley High School; and Bedford Community Primary School.
#kNOwKnifeCrime campaigner Laura Hughes said:
“Wednesday was a great success on many levels.
“It is the third year that the #kNOwKnifeCrime campaign has been supported by Southport Learning Trust and each year the outcome to the activities completed by the trusts schools are really positive.
“Knife crime is a difficult topic of conversation to have with young people but it’s also an incredibly important one.
“Working with the Trust and all the schools is not only inspiring but also empowering.
“The outcome from a fundraising perspective from all of the activities that are taking place throughout this week with the trust will enable each school to access Mini Medics first aid training sessions.
“This is fantastic as it means that not only do we have bleed control equipment across Sefton but we will also have children trained in emergency first aid!”
All funds raised go straight to providing life-saving bleed control kits and first aid training, ensuring the safety of young people across our region.
You can donate to the appeal here:
After the relay, 60 students will take part in the London Marathon Mini Marathon this Saturday (26th April 2025) in London, representing the #kNOwKnifeCrime mission and helping to raise vital funds.
Thousands of children from across Southport Learning Trust are taking part in their own virtual mini marathons at school this week, running in support of the cause.
During the London Marathon Five teachers will take on the full marathon to support the cause and help keep communities safe.
The #kNOwKnifeCrime campaign was founded by Crosby mum Laura Hughes after the tragic murder of her brother, Colin McGinty.
Laura has worked with many thousands of pupils at schools in Sefton and across the Liverpool City Region after her brother, Colin McGinty, was fatally stabbed to death after a night out with friends in Bootle in 2001 in a case of mistaken identity.
Last year Laura was honoured for her work as a Finalist in the Main Grand Pride Of Sefton Award at The Grand in Southport.
She has worked tirelessly to promote safety among children and positively educate them about the dangers of knife crime and give them the tools to be confident and aware in our community.
Laura has also been pushing for public buildings to have bleed control kits on hand to the public to improve the chances of surviving a tragic incident.
She has continued to raise funds so that more bleed control kits are provided in public places which, like defibrillators, can be accessed in an emergency to save a life. They contain first aid equipment that will stop a person bleeding too much and give more time for an ambulance to arrive and save a life.
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