Killing London Profile: Suzanne Hedges - a mother’s mission to combat knife crime

By Beatrice Morandi

Chadwell Heath, an area in East London, may seem like any other neighbourhood, but for Suzanne Hedges, it holds the painful memories of a tragedy that reshaped her life. Suzanne, known as Sue to her friends and family, lost her beloved son, Ricky Hayden, on 13 September 2016, when he and his father, Paul, were attacked by Tommy Roome while trying to prevent a moped from being stolen outside their home. Ricky was just 27 years old.

The loss was devastating, but rather than allowing grief to consume her, Sue turned her pain into action. “Only a few months after Ricky was taken from us, another child in our borough was stabbed,” she recalls. “The family reached out for support, and we knew we had to do something.”

Determined to prevent other families from enduring the same heartbreak, Sue became an activist against knife crime. She organises marches, raised awareness, and worked tirelessly to introduce emergency bleed kits across London. These kits, which cost around £106 each, contain vital medical supplies that can help stabilise stabbing victims before emergency responders arrive. “The price is nothing compared to a life,” Sue explains. “If I had that bag when my son was attacked, he might still be here today.”

At a London Metropolitan University panel event dedicated to tackling knife crime, Sue, with her striking blonde hair and sky-blue eyes, shared her story with students. Her voice was strong, but her eyes occasionally filled with tears as she recounted the tragedy that changed her life.

The impact of her work was evident—two young men have already been saved thanks to the bleed kits provided by the Ricky Hayden Memorial. “It makes me feel both sad and happy simultaneously,” she admits. “Sad that we need these kits in the first place, but happy that they are making a difference.”

Over the past eight years, Sue's dedication to the cause has not wavered, and she has even met with London Mayor Sadiq Khan multiple times, advocating for tougher sentences and more significant government intervention. Reflecting on these meetings, she says, “I’ve spoken with him four times over the years, but I can’t see any real improvement from the government.” At the London Met panel, she passionately argued, “Fifteen or twenty years in prison is nothing compared to the loss families suffer. Justice needs to be stronger.”

Sue’s relentless campaign is not just about harsher sentences—it’s about prevention, education, and ensuring that no other mother has to endure the pain she has suffered. Through her work, she has become a beacon of hope in the fight against knife crime, turning personal tragedy into a mission that continues to save lives.

In addition to her activism, Sue has received support from West Ham United, a club close to her and Ricky’s hearts. The team has helped raise awareness for her cause, and Sue has been invited to matches and events where she has spoken about the importance of tackling knife crime. “West Ham has been amazing,” she says. “Their support means so much to me and to everyone fighting for change.”

For Suzanne Hedges, the battle is far from over, but her determination remains unshaken. “If we can save even one life, then we’ve made a difference,” she says. And with each bleed kit placed, each family supported, and each life saved, she is proving that even in the face of unimaginable loss, hope and action can prevail.