The family of a Swindon teenager who was stabbed to death are raising awareness of knife crime and promoting the rollout of bleed kits with their upcoming charity events. 

Owen’s World Foundation was set up in memory of 18-year-old Owen Dunn after he was murdered in December 2022 in Mazurek Way.

A charity football match will take place on Saturday, July 6 at Moredon Sports Hub, from 12pm to 5pm, and the money raised will go towards installing more bleed kits across Swindon and hosting training events to show people how to use them in an emergency.

The charity has already supported the introduction of 13 bleed kits, but they have been met by some opposition within the community. 

Zoe Mitchell, Owen's mum, said: “We are trying to get as much coverage as possible and we are trying to roll the kits out in West Swindon, but we are hitting brick walls.

"One pub told us it ‘doesn’t give off the right image’ and it’s not what people want to see, so it seems some people are finding it difficult to accept the need for them. 

“People that do come to the bleed-kit training events say it’s really informative and it teaches them how to save a life.

"Someone can bleed out in five minutes before an ambulance can get there so it’s important people know how to step in.”

They are also planning adult workshops to support parents to ‘open up communications’ to help them spot the signs of their child being groomed or take action if they find out their child is carrying a knife.

But their 'biggest event so far' will be a fun day on August 31 and they would love food vendors and anyone who can volunteer a few hours of their time to get involved. 

“Day to day I take it as it comes, some days are good and some days are bad.

"It’s hard to do talks at youth clubs and community centres but it does give me hope and I’m doing something positive with my pain", Zoe explained. 

“I know there will be kids who won’t listen to me, but a knife doesn’t necessarily protect you. Owen thought taking a knife out would protect him but just don’t do it, go speak to someone – a trusted person like a parent or teacher - tell them if you are frightened or thinking about it."