A school relay will take place this Thursday (6th July 2023) to raise money to buy Bleed Kits to treat someone if they have been stabbed.
The event has been organised by the Southport Learning Trust and will be held between a variety of schools in Southport, Maghull and Bootle.
A Donation Day will be held at each school this Friday.
It has been inspired by knife crime campaigner Laura Hughes whose brother Colin McGinty, from Blundellsands, was brutally stabbed to death after a night out in Bootle on 23rd March 2001. He was just 21-years-old.
The Trust includes a number of schools in Southport, including Greenbank High School, Stanley High School, Birkdale High School, Meols Cop High School, and Kew Woods Primary School.
It also includes Maghull High School and Bedford Primary School in Bootle.
Over £2,500 has already been raised for the appeal, towards a total of £4800.
People can donate on the Cash For Kids website here.
A spokesperson said: “Tomorrow some of our wonderful students and staff will be running as part of the Southport Learning Trust.
“Please, please sponsor your school on our relay run.
“Southport Learning Trust is saying #kNOwknifecrime in our communities.
“We are fundraising to buy Knife Bleed Kits and boxes for all the communities we serve.
“During July we are looking to educate our community on the dangers of knife crime and raise funds to purchase Bleed Kits that could be used in the event of someone being stabbed.
“We will be working alongside campaigner Laura Hughes who established In Memory of Colin McGinty, a #kNOwknifecrime initiative that aims to educate young people on the wider lasting impact of knife crime and dissuade the carrying of knives and other weapons after the death of her brother, Colin McGinty in 2001.
“Our ambition is for the kits to be hosted by retailers and public venues in our community, especially in places where young people may be vulnerable or gather in larger numbers.
“During the week beginning 3rd July we will be completing an assembly roadshow, a relay between our Trust schools and various fundraising events including a Donation Day on 7th July at each school.
“Thank you in anticipation of your support for our fundraising.”
Colin McGinty had been on a night out in Sullivan’s Bar, on Stanley Road in Bootle, on March 23, 2001, and was walking along Marsh Lane with two friends intending to flag a taxi home.
Without warning a Volkswagen Golf pulled up alongside Colin’s group and a gang of five jumped out.
Colin’s two friends managed to get away as the men directed their aggression on Colin, who was caught as he desperately tried to climb a wall.
A pathologist found he had suffered 15 stab wounds,which were believed to have been inflicted by two different knives.
His sister Laura said in 2019: “Colin was a nice lad with lots of nice friends, he had a good job and social life, but he was horrifically and horrendously attacked and killed for no reason.”
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