On June 13, 2023, the city of Nottingham was shaken by a brutal knife attack that left three people dead and a community in mourning. Among the victims was Grace O’Malley-Kumar, a 19-year-old medical student at the University of Nottingham. What set Grace’s story apart was not just the tragedy of her loss, but the extraordinary bravery she displayed in her final moments. Now, more than two years later, her courage has been recognized with one of Britain’s highest civilian honors—the George Medal, awarded posthumously and set to be presented to her family at Buckingham Palace later this year.
According to BBC, Grace and her friend Barnaby Webber, also 19, were returning home from a night out, celebrating the end of their medical school exams, when they were ambushed by Valdo Calocane, a man later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. As Calocane attacked Barnaby with a dagger, Grace did not run. Instead, she intervened, pushing Calocane into the road in an attempt to save her friend. Prosecutors described her actions as “incredible bravery”—she fought off the attacker, placing herself in harm’s way, and ultimately paid with her life.
Grace’s parents, Dr Sinead O’Malley and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, themselves both doctors, spoke at a news conference in London on October 6, 2025, expressing their pride and heartbreak. Dr O’Malley told reporters, “Grace was beautiful and brave in life, and now it is recognised that she was courageous and selfless to the end, in her death.” She urged the public to “never forget” her daughter’s courage, saying, “Think of her as a shining example of humanity, bravery, selflessness and kindness.”
Her father, Dr Kumar, echoed these sentiments, reflecting on his daughter’s selfless character: “Grace was an athlete, she could have easily run away, even to seek help, but her instinct was to stand by her friend, to intervene, to fight, to stop a sustained attack on her friend.” He added, “She placed friendship over fear and she paid the ultimate price for her courage.”
Grace’s younger brother, James, now 18, spoke movingly about the impact of her loss and the significance of the George Medal: “Grace’s courage may have ended that night, but her beacon of light never will. Her bravery, her kindness and her love will continue to guide us, always.” For the family, the award brings “a small measure of peace.”
Grace was not only a promising medical student but also an accomplished athlete. She represented England in youth hockey, played county cricket for Essex, and was known for her commitment to sport and community. According to India Today, she played for the England under-18s hockey team and was a talented cricketer. Friends and family remember her as someone who brought energy, kindness, and a fierce sense of loyalty to everything she did.
The George Medal, established in 1940, is Britain’s second-highest civilian honor after the George Cross. It is awarded for “conspicuous gallantry not in the presence of the enemy.” The decision to honor Grace posthumously was supported by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and senior police officials. The King will bestow the medal at Buckingham Palace, fulfilling calls from the public and media—including The Sun, which led a campaign to recognize Grace’s heroism.
Prime Minister Starmer, in a statement on October 6, 2025, paid tribute to Grace and the other recipients of the 2025 Gallantry Awards. “This is what true courage looks like. In moments of unimaginable danger, these extraordinary people acted with selflessness and bravery that speaks to the very best of who we are as a nation. Rather than running from fear, Grace stood up to it—and showed a depth of compassion that speaks to the very best of who we are as a nation.”
The attack that claimed Grace’s life was part of a series of violent acts carried out by Calocane, who also killed Barnaby Webber and school caretaker Ian Coates, aged 65. Calocane was later sentenced to a mental health order and is currently detained in a high-security hospital. The case has prompted a public inquiry, led by retired judge Deborah Taylor, which is expected to report back within two years. The inquiry aims to examine the circumstances leading up to the attacks and consider what changes might be necessary to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Grace’s legacy is not limited to the medal or the headlines. Her family has established the Grace O’Malley-Kumar Foundation, dedicated to supporting young people and communities through sport, mental health initiatives, and education. The foundation’s mission statement reads: “Grace tried to fight off the attacker when he turned his attention to her and went about attacking her in the same brutal manner as he did to Barnaby. Grace’s character would never leave a friend, so she did her very best and fought the attacker in a fight she would never win. Grace died a hero.”
In the 2025 Gallantry Awards, Grace is among 20 individuals recognized for acts of courage in the face of danger. The awards also honor youth worker Molly Bulmer and receptionist Alicia Richards, who intervened in an armed attack at a Sheffield school in May 2024, and Richard O’Brien, who tackled an armed man in Barnet, North London, in 2021. The collective stories of these honorees serve as reminders of the strength and compassion that run through communities across the UK.
For the O’Malley-Kumar family, the George Medal is both a tribute and a responsibility. As Dr Kumar told The Sun, “I’d really like to thank your readership, and I’d really like to thank the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness.” The recognition, he said, ensures that Grace’s story will not be forgotten. “Grace will go down in the history books as such,” Dr O’Malley added, underscoring the enduring impact of her daughter’s sacrifice.
As flowers continue to be laid in tribute at the University of Nottingham and as the foundation in her name begins its work, Grace O’Malley-Kumar’s example of selflessness and courage stands as a beacon. Her actions in those final moments—placing friendship over fear, intervening to protect another—have left an indelible mark on all who hear her story.
The George Medal, when presented to her family at Buckingham Palace, will serve as a lasting symbol of a young woman’s ultimate sacrifice and a nation’s gratitude. For those who knew her, and for many who did not, Grace remains a shining example of humanity at its very best.
