Grace O’Malley-Kumar, a 19-year-old medical student killed whilst defending her friend during the June 2023 Nottingham attacks, has been posthumously awarded the George Medal. The honour, announced on October 6, 2025, recognises her extraordinary courage in confronting knife attacker Valdo Calocane, who killed three people that night.
Medical student fought attacker for 30 seconds to save friend
Grace and fellow University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber were walking home from a night out on June 13, 2023, when Calocane attacked them on Ilkeston Road around 4:00 a.m. When the attacker began repeatedly stabbing Webber, Grace immediately intervened.
She fought Calocane for approximately 30 seconds, pushing him into the road whilst trying to protect her friend. Despite suffering multiple stab wounds herself, she continued attempting to restrain the attacker until she collapsed from her injuries. Both students died at the scene.
Prosecutor Karim Khalil KC told Nottingham Crown Court that Grace displayed “incredible bravery” but noted Calocane “was as uncompromisingly brutal in his assault of Grace as he was in his assault of Barnaby.” Her father, Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, told the attacker during sentencing that his daughter “heroically and valiantly fought” and “put herself in harm’s way like a hero.”
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Britain’s second-highest civilian honour recognises ultimate sacrifice
The George Medal is Britain’s second-highest civilian bravery award, given for “conspicuous gallantry not in the presence of the enemy.” Grace is one of 20 people receiving civilian gallantry awards in October 2025, with four being awarded posthumously. The official citation states that “Grace’s exceptional courage in the face of extreme danger serves as an outstanding example of personal bravery.” Her family will receive the medal at Buckingham Palace from King Charles III or another member of the Royal Family.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute, saying Grace “made the ultimate sacrifice to protect her friend” and that her legacy will live on as a “powerful example of heroism.” A campaign had sought the George Cross, Britain’s highest civilian gallantry award, which was backed by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2024.
Accomplished athlete inspired by father’s medical career
Grace was an accomplished athlete who played hockey for England’s under-16 and under-18 squads, as well as for Southgate Hockey Club in north London. She also played cricket for Essex U-15 Women’s Cricket and Woodford Wells Cricket Club.
Her father, Dr. Sanjoy Kumar, a London-based doctor awarded an MBE in 2009 for saving three teenagers knifed in a gang attack, inspired her medical aspirations. Grace attended Bancroft’s School in north-east London before university.
She pursued medicine after work placements in a GP surgery and volunteering for the nationwide vaccination programme during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her mother Sinead described her as “a treasure, an adored child” who was “beautiful on the inside,” saying all Grace wanted was “to be a doctor, play hockey with her pals, and have fun.” The family has established the Grace O’Malley-Kumar Foundation to honour her memory.
Calocane also killed Ian Coates, a 65-year-old school caretaker at Huntingdon Academy who was due to retire in months. After stealing Coates’ van, Calocane drove into three pedestrians, causing serious injuries.
In January 2024, Calocane pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility after four independent psychiatrists agreed he was suffering from treatment-resistant paranoid schizophrenia. He received an indefinite hospital order and will remain detained at a high-security hospital until deemed no longer a public risk.
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An independent review by Theemis Consulting released in February 2025 found that “the system got it wrong,” revealing multiple failures in Calocane’s NHS care. The report documented failures to “fully understand, manage, document, or communicate” his risk. Calocane had been sectioned on four separate occasions and regularly failed to cooperate with treatment.
Despite being considered a risk to care coordinators, he was given autonomy over his medication decisions and remained in the community with no contact with mental health services. The victims’ families have demanded accountability and a statutory public inquiry with powers to compel evidence.
Both Grace and Barnaby were posthumously awarded degrees from the University of Nottingham in summer 2025.
