‘Had this kit had been available he might still been here today’: Manchester’s first bleed safety cabinet installed in memory of schoolboy Rhamero West

Manchester’s first life-saving ‘bleed safety’ cabinet has been installed in memory of schoolboy Rhamero West who died in a knife attack.

The cabinet will help people give first aid to help those have been stabbed before paramedics arrive. 

The cabinet contains instructions on how to control bleeding, as well as equipment to use depending on where on the body the person has been stabbed. 

Rhamero, known as Mero, was stabbed in Trafford in September 2021. 

The installation can be found outside The Place Library in Fallowfield.

Mero’s mother, Kelly, says the family are turning their “pain into fight” to make a change across Manchester.

She said: “I’m honoured. I wish it didn’t come to this, putting up the first one in honour of my son but it has. Our aim is now to get these in every area of Manchester.”

We’re so proud of Deanne Brown for sharing her family’s story with @GranadaReports. Thanks to the @merosworld20211 campaign, Manchester now has its first Bleed Safety Cabinet in memory of her cousin, 16-year-old Rhamero West. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ace81idgyp

— Peninsula (@peninsula_uk) February 17, 2022

Deanne Brown, Mero’s cousin, added: “The bleed safety cabinet is to help intervene and hopefully save a life just before the emergency response team arrive on the site.

“The aim is to pack or wrap a wound so we can hopefully save that life.

“There were two women with Mero and they did everything they could to help him

 Should this kit had been available hopefully he would have still been here today

Mero’s family have set up a charity in his name, Mero’s World which raises awareness of knife crime and to stop young other families facing a similar tragedy. 

The organisation uses the slogans ‘enough is enough’ and ‘put down the knives, save our kids lives.’ Each feature on the ‘bleed safety’ cabinet alongside Rhamero’s image in dedication to his life.

So far the charity has taken part in monthly awareness walks campaigning for change and to make the streets safer, as well as a social media campaign and community fundraising. 

Anti-Knife Crime walk happening in Didsbury right now, organised by the family of Rhamero West #putdowntheknife @MENnewsdesk @hanaekelly @BBCNWT pic.twitter.com/ku7d1DedsK

— Jade Doswell (@JadeDoswelll) March 5, 202

The charity took part in a walk through Didsbury earlier this month. Other events have included a pizza and chill evening welcoming local teenagers to a safe, fun and immersive space to discuss what they want to see in their community.

The bleed safety cabinets cost of £600 each, with three being sponsored by companies BrightHR, Deanne’s former employer, Peninsula and Health Assured.

They will be installed in Hulme, Moss Side and Rusholme.

Deanne said: “We’re delighted to have raised enough money to install this first cabinet in Manchester. 

“Long-term, we’re hoping to raise enough money to place bleed safety cabinets in every area of Manchester.

“A second cabinet will be placed in Old Trafford, hopefully by the end of March, and we’re raising money for more to go up throughout the city.”
Rhamero’s death has also meant a change of career for Deanne who has started studying criminology and psychology at the Arden University.

She said: “For me, it’s not just about raising awareness, we also need to educate people – parents as well as children. I’ve got a five-year-old son and it’s massively impacted him.”

The family continue to work hard in Rhamero’s memory as they continue to raise awareness and campaign against knife crime.

To donate to the campaign, go to their Just Giving page.