Unity Tour chapter raises extra money for COPS with 24-hour bike ride

29 January 2025

A team of 17 embarked on the challenge at Rushden Lakes in December, including many of the chapter members who cycled the 2024 PUT, held back in July.

The aim of the ride was to ensure the pedals were continuously turning across five stationary exercise bikes at midday on Saturday 7, through the same time on the following day.

And in addition to successfully completing this mission, the team also raised £1,200 from donations surrounding the ride.

Simon (front, centre) with the Police Unity Tour Northamptonshire chapter.

This total will go towards the Care of Police Survivors (COPS), the central charity of the PUT since its inception and an organisation which provides care and support for the bereaved families of police officers who have passed away on duty.

Chapter lead Simon Randall said: “For years, we have put on many smaller fundraisers to compliment the PUT, but we were really excited to be holding such a significant event outside of the Tour itself.

“It was as big a task as we expected, but everyone was up for it and we absolutely smashed it. Our target was 1,933 miles - equal to the distance between Rushden Lakes and Lapland – but we ended up hitting 1,947.

Motivation

“Just like always, we relied on each other for motivation and I think the adrenaline and buzz of the day pushed us through.

“The overnight period was a bit tougher, but there was still a good 10 of us there to keep the energy up. And then when it came around to finishing time on the Sunday, the feeling was pure elation."

In a change of plans due to the impact of Storm Darragh, the five bikes – three of which were kindly donated by the Force and two of which by a local PureGym branch – were moved from an outdoor tent setting to an indoor atrium within Rushden Lakes’ retail park.

But this did not stop the static ride from being very well supported by members of the public and the team’s Northamptonshire Police family, including an appreciated turn-out from the Force’s police cadets.

Also taking place on the day was a children’s Christmas treasure hunt and an adults’ festive hamper, with all proceeds going to the overall fundraiser for COPS.

Remembrance

Simon went on to discuss how the charity is never far from the hearts of the chapter.

“The PUT and everything that comes with it, like the service of remembrance, may be held in the summer, but we think about the officers we have lost all-year round.

“COPS to us is about helping the loved ones who our fallen colleagues have left behind, and it never fails in its mission. It falls down to us to raise money so this can continue, and we are always so proud to do so.

“The mother and stepfather of PC Andrew Harper were there at static ride – I cycled the most recent Tour in tribute to Andrew, who died on the frontline at Thames Valley Police five years ago.

Simon (left) pedalling away at Rushden Lakes.

“Their attendance is the sort of thing that reminds me why I got involved with all of this, and I’m sure there will be similar stories for other team members.”

The 53-year-old has captained the Northamptonshire chapter since 2017, and helped static ride team, made up of officers, police community support officers and sponsors, by cycling for a combined nine-and-a-half hours and being a constant presence across the entirety of the 24 hours.

He ended: “I would like to thank everyone for their continued support to our chapter and all the efforts we have going on around it.

Rushden Lakes

“This allows us to keep raising the profile of the PUT and do something meaningful in response to the continuing national picture of police officers losing their lives on duty.

“We remain very grateful, and it was a privilege to see so many people supporting us at Rushden Lakes – so I want to say a big thank-you.”

At this year’s PUT, the chapter raised over £9,000 for COPS.

While fundraising for the chapter’s static bike ride has now ended, the event’s JustGiving page will continue as host for the 2025 PUT, which Federation members are able to donate to now.