Dad hands out bleed kits in honour of son who died

A man who lost his son in a knife attack in Nuneaton has helped present knife kits to the local community in a bid to save others' lives.

Tom Ellis died on 8 June 2024 when he was stabbed outside the Ropewalk shopping centre.

His father Chris Ellis presented 23 medical kits, designed to treat life-threatening blood loss at the scene of an emergency, to the town at Nuneaton Council House on Thursday.

Nuneaton Neighbourhood Watch helped raised funds for the kits over the past 18 months so they could be placed around the area to help someone in need.

The special medical packs usually include dressings, gloves, scissors and a foil blanket.

They allows bystanders to manage severe wounds or heavy bleeding until emergency services arrive.

Brian Stansfield, a member of the neighbourhood watch, has said the kits will be given to local businesses and schools in the town.

Speaking of Tom's death, he added: "We all know the terrible incident that happened in Nuneaton town centre and are making it our mission to prevent further needless loss of life."

Tom had been out with his girlfriend and others to celebrate his 25th birthday when he suffered a single blow to his chest with a huge hunting-style knife.

His attacker, who was 16, was sentenced to at least 13 years in prison for murder in September 2024.

Paying tribute to Tom at the time, his family said words could not "express the depth of our grief and the void" that his death had had on their lives.

"We take comfort in knowing that his spirit will live on through the countless lives he touched and the memories we will forever cherish," they added.

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