24 June 2021

The Dorset Police family makes generous donation to The Gurney Fund!

The photo shows Dorset Police Insp Darren Stanton receiving a cheque from Retired Police Inspector Les Fry.

Les was part of a small team of officers who organised and ran The Dorchester and Weymouth Police Ball, a black tie event raising money for local good causes. The event had run for many years raising money each year for a different local charity - with the reduction in police and police staff numbers the event was deemed unviable and had not been held for several years.

There was money left in the account ready to fund future events but with Les’s retirement and the impending retirement of others involved in the event, a decision was made that the event should cease - and the remaining money should be distributed to worthy good causes.

After Consultation with Anna Harvey, Chair of Dorset Police Federation, it was decided that The Gurney Fund would be an ideal and perfect recipient of some of the money to support the excellent work they do with the police service, supporting retired or ill and injured police officers and their families.

Donations have also been made to Dorchester Youth and Community Centre and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Les said: "We are really pleased to be able to donate the money to such a worthy cause and I am sure this money will support the funds ongoing excellent work."Insp Stanton said: "The Gurney Fund has supported many police officers and their families over the years and they are reliant on charitable donations such as this.”Anna said: “The Gurney Fund relies on charitable donations. These help support the children of officers who have died in service or left due to ill health retirement. As the Chair of Dorset Federation I have personal experience in how this fund can really make a difference to those family members left behind.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Councillor Les Fry for this donation, and urge others if they can to support this worthy charity.”

https://www.gurneyfund.org/