Fed member raising money for bleed kits and defibs sees equipment installed

25 April 2025

Life-saving equipment acquired through a Federation member’s fundraiser has now been installed in his hometown of Shirley in Solihull.

Over the last six months, Sergeant Kiran Patel and his wife, Krupa, have been raising money to get bleed control kits and defibrillators set up in their local community, initially aiming for one of each device before unanticipated success allowed them to target a second pair.

The couple decided on the project to mark the birth of their son, Zaiden, who they welcomed into the world on 15 October last year.

Ahead of the new arrival, supporters of the fundraiser were able to leave a comment guessing the baby’s gender, weight and birth date alongside their donation to a JustGiving page, with prizes awarded to the closest estimates.

And this generosity has now seen a bleed kit and defib fitted on Shirley’s High Street, outside an Asda petrol station, and at The Two Mugs Café on Haslucks Green Road.

Kiran says he is 'absolutely delighted' the bleed kits and defibrillators are now installed.

Speaking after the installations in March, Kiran said: “I’m absolutely delighted the equipment is now set up – it means we have seen our ambitions through to reality, but more importantly, there are now four more facilities out there ready to potentially save someone’s life.

“It’s been an incredible few months, seeing all the support come in and allow us to get closer and closer to what we wanted to achieve.

“To then go beyond our initial ambitions has made it even more special. I think we’ve both been genuinely amazed at the backing our fundraiser has got, because it’s gone above our expectations and enabled us to realise our aims once over.

Thank you

“It’s been overwhelming – from our friends, family and colleagues – so a big thank-you is in order to all Federation members who helped us along the way.”

A cop for over 10 years, Kiran has had previous experience overseeing the installation of bleed control kits through his involvement with Operation Elevate, a Force initiative which supports and regenerates areas in the West Midlands most affected by serious and organised crime.

The bleed kits were first introduced to the region by the Daniel Baird Foundation, a charity established by Lynne Baird after her son, Daniel, was tragically stabbed to death in Birmingham seven years ago.

“Sadly, they are often required in awful circumstances, but the kits can be absolutely invaluable for treating catastrophic bleeds before emergency services can arrive,” continued Kiran, who was on a nearby duty the night Daniel died.

Bleed kit

“They contain a pair of gloves, a pair of scissors, a foil blanket, a chest seal, a tourniquet, a gauze and an instruction sheet, though all the tools are easy for anyone to use.

“As part of Op Elevate’s focus on knife crime, I helped with the donation of 10 kits in Alum Rock and Washwood Heath last year, and that got me thinking as to how I’d love to see the same thing in place where I live in Shirley.

“The more kits that are out there in different locations, the better.”

Meanwhile, the aim for defibrillators largely stems from Krupa, whose father suffered a cardiac arrest in 2019.

Defibrillators

The cost of the two defibs were covered in half by a charity grant – the eventual sourcing of which, combined with the fundraiser’s further donations, opened the possibility of a second installation point.

Now, both pairs of equipment have been fitted in a cabinet from the Daniel Baird Foundation, together with a plaque commemorating the tie-in with Zaiden’s birth.

“It’s made us both very happy to create an amazing legacy for our son’s life through this fundraiser – I hope one day he can really appreciate the project and the people who made it all possible,” said Kiran, 34.

“Ultimately, we might say ‘us’, but the ones who have truly made this happen are the people who have donated.

Local community

“What also means a lot to us is that we’ve been able to give something back to our local community, and we don’t want it to stop there - there is a new JustGiving page now up-and-running for more bleed kits and defibs further down the line, with any support greatly appreciated.

“Even if they save one life, then they will have done their jobs, and it will have all been worth it.”

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