106 UK ice hockey teams welcome the delivery of bleed control kits from Adam’s Angels and Turtle following fatal incident

Posted on 12 December 2023

Following the ice hockey incident on 28 October 2023 where Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson sadly lost his life, Erin Rose – sports therapist for The Raiders NIHL team – mobilised ‘Adam’s Angels’ to raise money for enough bleed control kits for all 106 of the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League and British National League teams.

Turtle Defib Cabinets has now shipped the first batch of their Ambulance Service developed and approved bleed control kits directly to the National League, NIHL South and North Division 1 and 2 teams and thank you messages have been pouring in for Adam’s Angels. The packs will reach all the remaining teams before Christmas.

Two ice hockey players from the Bristol Pitbulls team holding a Daniel Baird Bleed Control Kit donated by money raised by Adam's Angels.   Two ice hockey players from the Hull Seahawks team holding a Daniel Baird Bleed Control Kit donated by money raised by Adam's Angels.   Erin Rose who is the sports therapist for The Raiders ice hockey team holding a Daniel Baird Bleed Control Kit donated by money raised by Adam's Angels.

In less than two weeks after Adam Johnson’s accident, enough sponsorship and funding had been pledged to Adam’s Angels, so Erin partnered with Turtle. The Rugby-based company developed the UK’s first bleed control cabinet and £5 from every bleed control kit goes to support the Daniel Baird Foundation.

Erin explains: “A couple of days after the sad news of Adam’s death, I was compelled to try and do something. The whole ice hockey community was deeply affected and having witnessed some serious cuts on the ice myself, now had to be the time to bring some peace of mind to players and their families. The response through the therapy directory I set up and a social media campaign was beyond overwhelming, and I was able to speak to Turtle within a week or so to place the order for 106 bleed control kits – one for each of the men’s and women’s National and Elite League teams within the UK. From there Adam’s Angels was born.

“On behalf of the 106 UK ice hockey teams that now have the kit which can control a catastrophic bleed and save someone’s live, I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of Adam’s Angels. Without them and their kind donations and sponsorship from the wider hockey community this wouldn’t have been possible. Now when the teams play their next matches, Adam and his team of Angels will be on the bench should an accident happen.”

Two ice hockey players from the Solent Devils ice hockey team holding a Daniel Baird Bleed Control Kit donated by money raised by Adam's Angels.

Mike Dowson, founder and Managing Director of Turtle Defib Cabinets, said: “It’s astounding what has been achieved in such a short space of time since the very sad passing of Adam and the sponsors and donors really are angels. I was delighted Erin asked Turtle to help and we’re proud to be partnering with Adam’s Angels to help make ice hockey a safer sport to play with our Ambulance Service approved and registerable bleed control kits. It has been moving to see the first teams holding their packs and we hope the support for Adam’s Angels continues so even more teams can benefit beyond the 106.”

   

 

Erin had the idea because of the immediate success she saw in establishing a therapy directory to help UK ice hockey teams find therapy and medical support. A role with Deeside Dragons was filled within a few hours so she was sure the same collaborative approach would work to raise funds for medical equipment. The support for Adam’s Angels has been so extensive that the fundraising target is on the way to supply all UK Junior teams with bleed control kits. People who wish to donate can do so on Erin Rose’s Adam’s Angels Just Giving page. The future aim is to support ice hockey teams in gaining higher levels of first aid training and to provide even more lifesaving equipment. Adam’s Angels is exploring official charity registration.

Printing company, Hague Group, also donated Adam’s Angel’s flyers to accompany the kits.

The Daniel Baird Foundation bleed control kit which is supplied by Turtle was developed by West Midlands Ambulance Service, leading consultants from the Trauma Network and the Daniel Baird Foundation. The kit of medical equipment can control a catastrophic bleed and be easily used by the public.

Erin continued: “It’s also wonderful to be able to support the Daniel Baird Foundation at the same time as they work hard to get these vital bleed control kits into as many publicly accessible places possible. The charity already has a special place in the hearts of one of my players at The Raiders and his family as he recently received one of the kits from a family.”

 

The 106 teams that will receive bleed control kits are in the following leagues:

  • Elite League – men’s and women’s
  • National League – men’s and women’s
  • NIHL North Division 1 – men’s
  • NIHL South Division 1 – men’s
  • NIHL North Division 1 – men’s
  • NIHL South Division 2 – men’s
  • Scottish National League – men’s
  • British Para Ice Hockey League – men’s and women’s