Julie Taylor has been distributing lifesaving bleed bags across Essex for the past two years.

The Maldon grandmother began raising money and awareness after her grandson, Liam Taylor, known as 'Fish' to his family, was stabbed to death in Writtle in January 2020.

His family has since set up the Liam Taylor Legacy Fund, to buy bleed kits and defibrillators for schools and community groups, to save the lives of people in need of urgent care. 

The easy-to-use kits have already saved nine lives.

There are already over 14 bleed bags or bleed control units across a range of venues in Maldon, including Morrisons, Plume Academy, Heybridge Swifts, and the Oak House.

A number of bleed bags to be distributed across Essex. (Photo: The Liam Taylor Legacy)

Earlier this month, Julie distributed an additional three bags to Borough Flooring and Home and the Rose and Crown Wetherspoons on the High Street, as well as Maldon Pre School, Wantz Chase.

The bags were funded by the Lodge of St Peter's Freemasons 1024.

In a post on social media, Julie said: "Thank you so much to everyone involved in supporting us helping keep the community safe.

"We're going to be very busy getting [more bags] out but it's a fantastic feeling when we hand a kit over.

"We know that having a bleed control bag on site is providing extra safety and the kits are saving life's all over the country."

Julie has raised over £30,000 in her grandson's memory. In 2023 she won a 'Highly Commended' prize at the BBC Essex 'Make a Difference' Awards.

This week (June 15) she spoke out about the arrest of two 12 year-olds in regards to a stabbing in Wolverhampton, encouraging parents to speak to their children about knife and violent crime