WER2 taxi firm’s Knives Down campaign saw a 10p rise in fares in July to attempt to fund 52 kits across the city
Staff from Eddie Beedle Ltd will be fitting the kits around the city(Image: Submitted)
A potentially life-saving Bleed Control Kit has been installed at a Hull cab firm’s office after a fundraising campaign that saw a 10p increase in fares – and a taxi boss hopes it will be the first of many. WER2 Taxis announced in July it planned to increase each journey by 10p, with the extra cash raised going straight towards funding bleed control kits to be installed across the city.
The Bleed Control Kits contain torniquets, gauze, dressings, chest seals, gloves and emergency foil blankets. When the Knives Down Campaign launched in July, WER2 boss Nick Padgett told Hull Live he was aiming to fund one kit for every week of the next year. Nick proudly unveiled the first kit at the Walton Street office on Friday. He is asking Hull locals to continue to suggest locations where the kits could be most valuable.
He said: “It’s taken longer than expected but we’ve managed to get everything sorted. I’ve got 20 ready to roll out. They are going to be popping up everywhere. Everybody has been super supportive and people have said well done it’s a really worthwhile cause. We’ve had no negative comments at all.
“We are just looking for locations now and we’d like to do one a week for at least a year. High risk areas, clubs, pubs, sporting venues, anyone that wants one can just shout up.”
A post on WER2’s Facebook page announced the addition of the first bleed kit of the campaign at the firm’s Walton Street office. It said: “A proud day for everyone at WER2 Taxis as we install the first emergency bleed kit outside our Walton Street office as part of the WER2 Knives Down Campaign.
“These potentially life-saving kits are being funded by WER2 Taxis and our loyal customers, and our aim is to distribute them at key locations across Hull where they can be accessed quickly in an emergency.
“A massive thank you to Eddie Beedle Ltd who have kindly agreed to help us by fitting the kits around the city. Your support is hugely appreciated. We want the people of Hull involved too. If you know of a location where you think an emergency bleed kit should be installed, please contact Nick at WER2 Taxis. Businesses, community centres, sports clubs, pubs and other suitable locations are all welcome to get in touch.”
Humberside Police said the force works closely with partners through the Safer Hull Community Safety Partnership which helped fund and facilitate 100 bleed kits across Hull in 2024.
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Lucy Kevan said: “Bleed kits are a brilliant piece of equipment which can help provide potentially lifesaving support to members of the public. Local neighbourhood policing officers continue to work closely alongside Safer Hull and fully support the installation of bleed kits around the city. We have and continue to offer advice and support where required, and help identify where these kits would be best placed.”
To contact Nick at WER2 with any ideas on locations for the Bleed Control Kits, email wer2taxis@outlook.com or call 01482 770077.
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here .
