The Knife Angel, a 27-foot-tall monument created to raise awareness of knife crime and its impact on individuals, families and communities, is now in situ at Ely Cathedral. The project is also supporting East Anglian Air Ambulance and, following the opening ceremony on 20 May, we’re holding a range of activities for visitors during the Knife Angel’s stay until 16 June.
These will include providing CPR and defibrillator training, as well as holding collections and opportunities for the community to learn more about our lifesaving work, our plans for a new Cambridge Air Base and how to get involved.
The Knife Angel’s visit aims to spark conversations, educate communities about the consequences of carrying knives, and reinforce the message that violence can be prevented through collective action. East Anglian Air Ambulance will also be attending most days between 10am – 4pm and there will be a range of activities for people to enjoy at our gazebo, including children’s activities and garden games.
On 21, 22, 25, 29, May and 2, 5, 8, 9, 14,15, 16 June, our CPR trainers and volunteer trainers will be offering CPR and defibrillator training to the public, so there are more lifesavers in the community. Additionally, we’ll be participating in dedicated workshops for secondary school students, alongside other emergency services.
Ely is one of the locations often attended by our Anglia Two (Cambridge) crew. With Cambridge Airport closing by 2030 – and with it, the base our Cambridge crew call home, we recently launched an £8.2 million fundraising appeal to relocate, build a new Cambridge Air Base and protect lifesaving care across the region. The Knife Angel opening ceremony on 20 May featured a flyover of our Anglia Two (Cambridge) helicopter to recognise the Knife Angel project and the support of one of the communities we are proud to serve.
Speaking at the opening ceremony were Emma Dix, from the Joe Dix Foundation, and Bernice Jaggard, who are both bereaved Mums following incidents attended by East Anglian Air Ambulance. Despite the best efforts of our crews, their sons, Joe and Harley, did not survive – highlighting the devastating impact of knife crime in our region. The event also welcomed VIPs including the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Brigadier Tim Seal, and The High Sherriff of Cambridgeshire, Francis Burkitt DL.
Tammy Swiderski, Community Fundraising Lead at East Anglian Air Ambulance, said: “We are honoured to have been chosen as the benefiting charity for the Knife Angel’s visit to Ely. The installation is a powerful reminder of the impact of serious violence and the role we all play in preventing it.
“As a charity, we bring the hospital to the patient’s side in the fastest time possible for the most seriously ill and injured people in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, so this message deeply resonates with our crews. With no regular government funding, every mission is made possible by public support, and working with local partners on events like this helps raise awareness of the importance of keeping this lifesaving service flying.”
Thank you to the hosts of the Knife Angel’s visit, Soham Town Rangers Football Club. Visit the Knife Angel and the East Anglian Air Ambulance team on Palace Green, Ely until 16 June.
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