Margaret Oakes, from Wymondham, lost her son Raymond James “James” Quigley, 18, when he was stabbed to death in Westgate Street, Ipswich, on 17 January 2023. His killers, Alfie Hammett and Joshua Howell, were jailed for a combined total of 44 years last March.
Mrs Oakes described her grief as “a torture that never goes away”. She said:
“My son was brutally murdered in daylight, and he went into a morgue and into a coffin and now he has gone from everything. How can you be alright after that?”
Determined to honour James’ memory, she has launched a campaign to promote the use of bleed kits, emergency packs designed to save lives in cases of catastrophic blood loss.
Inspired by Dr Lynne Baird who created the first bleed kit after her own son, Daniel, was stabbed – Mrs Oakes has already helped place more than 26 bleed kits across Suffolk and Norfolk.
“These kits aren’t just for stabbings, they can be used after car crashes or workplace accidents,” she explained. “The point is to give someone a chance of survival.”
Alongside installing kits, her charity also provides training sessions and talks to raise awareness of how to use them effectively.
To expand the initiative further, Mrs Oakes will host a fundraising dinner at Wymondham Rugby Club, with proceeds going towards more lifesaving equipment. Tickets cost £40 per person, including a three-course meal and live entertainment.
She added:
“Every penny raised will go towards purchasing more Control the Bleed kits. I won’t let James die in vain.”
To purchase tickets go on to the Wymondham Rugby Club site.
