Leicester’s independent newspaper, the Leicester Gazette, is raising money for more bleed kits in Leicester, following the recent stabbing of a De Montfort University (DMU) student.
Cyber-security student, Khaleed Oladipo, 20, was reportedly stabbed around 5 pm on February 3rd outside of the Innovation Centre.
The incident prompted the Leicester Gazette to launch a fundraiser to “get as many life-saving kits installed across the city centre as possible.”
Bleed kits are designed to help bystanders stop life-threatening bleeding until emergency responders arrive.
As DMU alumni, Rhys Everquill, co-founder of the Leicester Gazette, said the team feels “very strongly about this.” Adding: “Every year, we have groups of students who volunteer and intern with us who were the same age as the victim. It’s very close to our hearts, and we hope everyone will consider supporting the fundraiser.”
As of now, DMU and the University of Leicester (UoL) have no bleed kits on campus. When asked why, both universities chose not to comment.
UoL student, Lola Amner, 21, said, “It’s definitely an oversight to not have bleed kits” on campus.
Lola is training to be an operational department practitioner at Nottingham University Hospital. As part of her course, she assists with surgeries on a daily basis.
“Sometimes we have people come in with big cuts or bleeds that would be much easier to treat if they’d been seen to quicker. Like if the bleeding had been slowed or stopped at the scene.”
She added, “It would be one less thing for us to do, so we could go straight to fixing the problem rather than spending time stopping the bleeding.”
DMU student Julia Zajac, 22, lives “approximately 40 metres” away from where the incident occurred. She said it makes her feel “uneasy” knowing there are no bleed kits nearby.
Julia has lived in Leicester for almost four years and says “violence is an increasing issue” in the city.
The fine art student added: “What concerns me most is that I only became aware of bleed kits through independent media, rather than through my university.”
“It feels conflicting as a student to see investment in international expansion, like campuses in Dubai and Kazakhstan, while basic safety measures are not visible on campus.”
On the other side of the M69, Birmingham City University (BCU) has funded its own bleed kits for almost six years. This was supported by the Daniel Baird Foundation, a charity established following the death of Dan Baired, who died from severe blood loss when no emergency kits were available.
BCU student, Jada Lawes, 18, said she “feels safer” knowing there are emergency kits on campus.
The professional policing student added, “It would make sense for every school to have them. You should always be prepared for the worst.’
Rhys Everquill told the Ripple that “when stabbings happen, people should have access to emergency bleed control kits. It’s absolutely imperative that we install as many trauma kits as possible.”
The Leicester Gazette Crowdfunder page acknowledges that while bleed kits do not prevent knife crime, “they do provide life-saving aid when needed.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for UoL said, “We’d like to thank The Ripple for making us aware of the fundraiser, which we will draw to the attention of our community. We will consider all options with our partners across the city to increase the safety of our communities.
“The safety of our students and staff is a key priority for the University. We work closely with our partners, including the police and emergency services, to ensure levels of safety are as high as they can be.
We also have a dedicated campus security team which operates patrols 24-7, and each security officer is trained in first aid. All staff and students are also able to download SafeZone, a free smartphone app that allows people to get help or request assistance from security any time they are on campus.”
DMU were approached to comment but did not respond.
You can donate to the fundraiser here until March 17th 2026.