A group of young people are leading the fight against knife crime with an appeal to raise funds for bleed control kits to be distributed across Lowestoft.

The 16 to 25-year-olds from charity, Inspire, are raising funds for Lowestoft's first bleed control kit.

A bleed kit contains different types of bandages and equipment - including a thermal blanket, a chest seal and more - that can be used to treat major blood loss until the paramedics arrive.

With the project part of the social action scheme on Inspire's Team Programme, the Lowestoft team chose the bleed control kit project because it was a potentially life-saving addition to their community.

The group has been supported by MJ Training, who supplied the group with a demonstration kit, and local businesses including Heart 2 Heart Norfolk.

Last Friday, February 24 they held a successful quiz night at the charity's Colville House headquarters in Lowestoft, which was supported by Waveney MP Peter Aldous.

A GoFundMe page has also been launched - with £450 being raised between the quiz night and the fundraising page.

Lowestoft Journal: Inspire students are raising funds for bleed control kits in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesInspire students are raising funds for bleed control kits in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Youth Development Tutor for Inspire - who deliver the Princes Trust programme - Jenni Colvin, said: "Ipswich already has a number of bleed kits and Lowestoft has none – so the team decided that we shouldn't wait for something to happen here before we do something about it.

"The bleed kits can be used for any trauma not only for knife crime.

"When we have managed to raise enough to buy the kits, we intend to put them into existing defibrillator cases which are already around.

"We hope to have four kits in total - with one in the centre of town, two in south Lowestoft and another in the north side."