Support Light the Lakes event and help COPS

18 May 2021

Organisers of this year’s Light the Lakes challenge are aiming to raise more than £40,000 for the charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS).

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Geoff Bardell is encouraging members to add their support after a tough year for the charity, which supports the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty. 

Geoff said: “Light the Lakes is a real challenge for those taking part in the dark and often cold of the Lake District. It’s a fantastic event that brings policing together and allows us to pay our respects to our fallen colleagues.

“It also allows us to show our support for their families by raising money for COPS. The charity itself has had a tough year, just like to many others, with so many of its fund-raising activities hit by the pandemic so it is really pleasing to see that this event is going ahead.”

Police officers from across the country join colleagues and members of the public for the Light the Lakes challenge on 18 and 19 June.

Teams climb one of the 214 peaks across the Lake District and light blue flares just before dawn in memory of fallen police officers.

Organiser Vinny Wagijani, a DS with Surrey Police and a Surrey Police Federation rep, hopes to raise £40,000 for COPS, and to raise awareness about the support the charity officers grieving police families.

“COPS is such an important charity,” said Vinny. “I would certainly want them providing that wrap-around service to my family and loved ones should the worse happen to me.

“If we can raise the £40,000 this year, it will take us close to raising £100,000 in total from each of the events for the charity.

“They have missed out on a lot of fund-raising events this past year, and I know they are grateful to everyone taking part.” 

Support the event.