THREE Redditch bands will be holding a concert on November 16 with the proceeds being donated to knife awareness campaigner Pete Martin to help with his Drop the knife education programme that warns young people of the dangers of carrying and using knives.
The three bands Red Vengeance, Mental Dollz and Goblin Noises will be performing at the Bridley Moor and Batchley Social Club on November 16.
Doors open at 7pm and there will be a £2 entry fee plus a raffle.
Pete Martin has been campaigning for years about the dangers of knife crime.
He has recently launched an education scheme, to get young people to Drop the Knife.
It follows reports of a rise in the number of young people taking weapons into school and the age of people carrying knives is getting lower.
Redditch Self Defence was formed by Pete who has been an instructor of the practice since 1989.
He has been at the forefront of anti-knife crime campaigns in the town and has recently been installing bleed kits throughout the community.
The kits are endorsed by West Midland Ambulance Service and are used by the public in the case of a stabbing.
The Control The Bleed kit locations are also stored in a national database and accessed by 999 phone operators.
Any caller will be told which kit is nearest their location for fastest collection to provide vital aid by preventing blood loss.
Pete has won numerous awards and has been involved in the BBC documentary ‘SAS Catching the Criminals’.
He said: “I am constantly being asked by people how they can help and I normally have to turn people away as knife crime is a delicate matter, which I have studied for 12 years.
“I always feel guilty as I know people want to help, but with the Anti Knife Crime Community Champions, I can.
“The scheme will engage members of the public in a positive way and help get people involved.”
A spokesperson for the musicians said:”It’s a pleasure for our groups to get together to raise funds for such a worthwhile cause and we look forward to performing on the night.
“Pete Martin gives so much of his time to keep our communities safe, and this is a chance for our community to give something back.”
