‘There is no justice for families of knife crime’.

Remembering Ricky Hayden.

On this day seven years ago at 11.41, Ricky Hayden took his last breath before his life support machine was switched off. His family had to make the most heartbreaking decision ever possible, after being told by doctors that Ricky had lost too much blood and would not recover.

Ricky had been macheted in the leg outside of his home in Marks Gate, east London. He heard thieves attempt to steal his brother’s moped and ran out in nothing but his underwear in attempt to stop the thieves.

From this day onwards, his family fell apart. The consequences of the horrendous attack that night, also saw Ricky’s father and brother injured and the family dog have her throat slashed by the thieves. This is now a broken family. Those guilty of these horrific crimes are back on our streets-whilst this family pays the price for the rest of their lives. In other words, a life sentence of pain.

His mother Sue Hedges and sister April Hayden spend their days tackling knife crime and donating life saving Daniel Baird bleed kits across the London community. It is the only way they can deal with the trauma of losing Ricky.

After seven years of campaigning non stop, both ladies are tired of speaking and not being heard, of meeting officials and not being listened to, or being told by politicians that something will change, when it hasn’t.

“Has it got any better now than seven years ago?” asks Sue. “No, of course not. It has actually got worse. Londoners are now so used to seeing knife and machete fights on our streets everyday, that they don’t even take notice, or just cross the street and keep walking. This is the reality.

“Every weekend violence breaks out across our communities and youths are dying. Papers talk about another violent weekend, but nothing is done to change it. All we know is that more families are being broken each week and nothing gets done.

“We are so tired of talking, shouting, asking, begging and no one wants to know. Why is no one choosing to address this problem?”

Sue and April can be found across east London donating these life saving bleed kits to venues in our community.It was in fact, a Daniel Baird bleed bag donated by Sue to a Havering college that was used by teachers to save a pupil’s life who was stabbed.

“I don’t think people realise just how vital these kits are. They are used for all forms of catastrophic bleeding and are clearly life saving tools.

“What would be nice would be to have community cohesion where we can work with all members of the emergency services here in London, as happens across other parts of the country. Unfortunately, here we know the London Fire Brigade are onboard with using the kits, but we don’t have the same support from the Met Police or London Ambulance Service, so it makes it harder work for us in the community.”

Across east London Sue really is a community champion. She is seen each week at different locations either campaigning against knife crime or handing out a bleed kit.

“The community support I receive is great, I am thankful to people for their support. It would be great if everyone was on board, if London could work together as a team to stop knife crime-but I doubt whether that will ever happen as people who are in a position to make changes, chose not to.

“Parents are terrified. I talk to so many who fear everyday when their child goes out what will happen to them. We are at the stage that parents are buying stab proof clothing for their children, this is how bad it is.”

When asked what if she ever sees this changing, Sue shakes her head.

“There are so many parents now across London who have lost their child to knife crime and the reality is clear for us-no one in authority cares. They talk but don’t listen, or if they listen, then they don’t hear. as no changes are made. There really is no justice for families of knife crime.”

Let us take a moment to remember Ricky Hayden and all the other victims of knife crime……………….

April Hayden kisses her brother for the last time.

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