Olivia’s ‘Stop The Bleed’ Campaign Leads To National Nomination

A student at Newark College has received a nomination for her volunteer work for renowned national Further Education Awards, the Good For Me, Good For FE Awards. 

Cookie’s Crusaders, led by Olivia Cook and her family, leads ‘Stop The Bleed’ sessions designed to equip people with the knowledge and techniques to manage life-threatening situations before professional help arrives.  

Cookie's Crusaders was set up by Olivia’s family following the tragic death of her father, James Cook, 40, who died in April this year after suffering stab wounds in Castlegate, Newark, leaving behind his wife Adele, and three daughters Lilly-May, Olivia, and Ruby. 

James’s family and friends have joined forces to create the fundraising group Cookie’s Crusaders, aiming to raise money for life-saving bleed kits to be installed in and around Newark, which manage life-threatening bleeding from traumatic injuries before emergency services arrive. 

As the kits require specific, careful instruction in order to be effective, so as a result Newark Community First Aid (NCFA) recently held specialised first aid courses to treat life-threatening bleeding alongside their regular first aid training. 

Olivia, who is now nominated for the Student Volunteer of the Year category, will now find out if she is a winner this Friday, 5^th December. 

Head of Newark Campuses, Penny Taylor MBE, said: “Olivia’s nomination comes from some amazing work so far. She has spearheaded a series of training sessions to ensure people know how to use Bleed Kits, which have been installed across Newark. 

“These sessions have been a community-led initiative working with ATTFE College to upskill 2025 people across Nottinghamshire to understand basic emergency response.  

“This training raises awareness, by providing free and accessible training and fosters a culture of preparedness. Community is a key feature in our college code and this allows us to build the strength in community and help others if ever in need of crisis.” 

After meeting with Newark and Sherwood District Council, Olivia has overseen three kits set to be installed in and around town, and more kits are set to be located at Newark Castle, in the market place, and also either at the Odeon cinema or at the skate park on Sherwood Avenue. The ambition is for the group to eventually expand their reach beyond Newark and into the rest of the district.  

There is already a kit at Newark College and there are a number of Bleed kits in local establishments in Newark and the organisation’s aim is to work with local partners, Notts Police, NSDC, Nottingham County Council, Newark Community First Aid and local residents to provide support. 

Find out more about Cookie’s Crusaders via their Facebook page here.