Daniel Baird: Run to mark birthday of Birmingham stab victim

The 30th birthday of a man who was stabbed to death in the street is being marked with a fundraising run.

Daniel Baird, 26, was murdered when a dispute between two groups of men spilled outside the Forge Tavern in Digbeth, Birmingham, in July 2017.

The money raised will go to the Daniel Baird Foundation, which campaigns for specialist first aid kits to try to reduce deaths following knife attacks.

The run has been organised by sportswear company Ripl Fitness.

Ellie Fell, who set up the firm, has organised charity runs before, but said Daniel's story was "just heartbreaking" and that she hoped the event could be seen as a "celebration for Daniel".

His mother, Lynne Baird, set up the foundation in his memory and said the offer of help had come as a surprise, but was "absolutely fantastic".

The foundation has put together bleed control kits with the help of West Midlands Ambulance Service to stem the loss of blood from knife wounds until help can arrive.

More than 1,000 have already been placed by the charity in pubs and nightclubs.

On average it takes an ambulance seven minutes to arrive. Bleeding from trauma injuries can prove fatal in three to five minutes, the charity said.

The run is being described as a virtual event and those taking part are being asked to sign up online and then run as far as they feel able in 30 minutes on Sunday, before sending back evidence via email or social media.

Ms Fell said she was "aware of the massive impact the cancellation of races has had on all charities", following the Covid-19 outbreak.

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