About
Travis was born in Darwen, a small town in Lancashire in the Northwest of England, and lived here throughout his childhood. Wanting to fulfil a lifelong goal of becoming a high school history teacher, he began studying for a Batchelors degree in History with Politics at Edge Hill University when he turned 18.
22.03.2017
Whilst on a trip to London with fellow students from the university in March 2017, Travis was seriously injured in the terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge. Five people were killed, and over fifty injured, including some of his friends. Travis was hospitalised for ten days after the attack, and required operations on his hand and leg.
The attack had an irreparable impact upon his life. For months after the attack he tried to return to regular life, to continue as though nothing had happened, but he soon realised that he had to learn more about the issues that lead to radicalisation, and the extremist ideologies fuelling terrorist organisations around the world.
Next steps
Travis soon began to share his story with local schools and colleges, with the aim of highlighting the real-life effects of terrorism and shining a light on the simple things we can all do as individuals to counter the spread of extremism within our communities and look out for one another. He became determined to raise awareness of the issues affecting those who survive, are bereaved by, or respond to, acts of terrorism, campaigning for improvements in support for victims.
He has spoken confidently on the national and international stage around the world at events organised by the European Commission, Council of Europe, UNESCO, and by various charities and private businesses, in addition to organising several of his own.
Travis has made it his mission to ensure that victims are heard at the heart of counterterrorism policy, and regularly travels around the world to support other survivors of terrorism and collaborate with those working within the realm of counter-extremism. He has worked with politicians and civil servants to propose legislation, founded and co-founded several successful organisations, and has become a regular commentator in print and television media on the issues of terrorism and radicalisation.