As in previous years, following the success of the Wellifest Music Festival and Saddleworth Show, the Show Committee approached the local Neighbourhood Policing Team with an offer to support a local community project or charity of their choice using some of the money raised at these events. Local neighbourhood Sergeant, Connor Brook suggested that a new community bleed kit be installed in Saddleworth. 

These kits are designed to provide immediate help in situations where serious bleeding occurs, offering life-saving tools in the crucial moments before professional medical help can arrive. Placing them close to a publicly available defibrillator would also ensure that in a medical emergency there would be potential life-saving equipment available at a single point.

Parish Council Chair, Cllr Barbara Beeley, was approached and was happy to support this potential life- saving measure. She agreed that the new Bleed Kit would be placed at the Saddleworth Civic Hall in Uppermill close to the defibrillator already in place.

Barbara Beeley said ‘The Parish Council were happy to support the installation of the Bleed Kit in Uppermill, the first in the Oldham area, as an additional safety resource in an emergency. I think that this is a good example of what can be achieved from joint action in the Community.  If it saves just one life it has been worthwhile.’

 Sergeant Connor Brook of the Saddleworth & Lees neighbourhood policing team shared the importance of this new addition:  

"Our priority is always the safety of the community and thanks to the generous support from the local Rotary Clubs and Saddleworth Parish Council, our team was able to secure the funding and installation of this community bleed kit.  

This kit ensures that vital, life-saving tools are readily available in an emergency, helping to protect lives when every second counts.”

Clint Elliott, President of the Saddleworth Rotary Club, who with Oldham Metro Rotary run the charity events said ‘After our Show weekend we are always looking to invest the money raised in mostly local community or charitable projects. This idea from the local police fitted the bill well and the support of the local parish council made it a real community effort.’

 The bleed kit is accessible to the public and can be used in the event of severe injuries, such as those caused by accidents or incidents of violence. With the installation of the kit, the community now has an extra layer of protection that could make all the difference in critical situations. This initiative highlights the power of local collaboration and proactive safety measures in keeping residents safe. It's another great example of how communities can come together to support each other and potentially save lives.