Men’s Health Month: Fed member organising fundraising events in memory of friend and colleague

26 November 2025

Acting Sergeant Pierre Olesqui is busy organising a series of fundraising events inspired by his best friend and colleague, PC Micky ‘Aky’ Atkinson, a North Yorkshire Police dog handler who took his own life in 2018.

Pierre said his fundraising began as a personal way of processing Aky’s death and remembering him.

However, they have since become important platforms for encouraging conversations about men’s mental health.

“As men, we hide our emotions,” he said. “We don’t talk. Everything I do is about raising awareness and getting people talking. If it helps even one person, then it’s time well spent.”

Pierre established the popular bike ride Tour De Aky in 2019 in memory of his friend. The eighth staging of the ride will take place next year around Aky’s birthday on 15 July.

It is one of a number of events Pierre is working on for 2026, which raise money and awareness for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Andy’s Man Club, and Menfulness.

Awareness

A fifth annual charity golf day will take place on Friday 26 June at Low Laithes Golf Course, near Wakefield.

The day will follow a Ryder Cup-style format with a shotgun start. There will be teams made up of serving and retired police officers from North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire forces, plus teams of Aky’s friends.

Pierre is still seeking four more police officers to complete the 72-player line-up.

“It’s a brilliant day,” he said. “A breakfast sandwich beforehand, you go and play golf, then a meal and a few drinks afterwards.

“There’s really good camaraderie and lots of laughs. I get people messaging me that they want to pay their deposit already because it’s the best day of the year for them.

“Things like that make it really worthwhile.”

A charity seven or nine-a-side football tournament is also in the works, to be held at Hunslet Warriors in Leeds, home to a newly built £1.2 million 3G pitch.

Opening up

Teams from North Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Police, Andy’s Man Club, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Tour de Aky will all be invited to take part.

Pierre said the events have helped people take part in opening up and discussing issues.

“When you talk about your experiences, people often come back with similar stories,” he said. “You realise you’re not alone, and that’s exactly why these events matter.”

North Yorkshire Police Federation members who are interested in playing in the golf day, entering a team into the football tournament, or taking part in the Tour de Aky bike ride can email Pierre for more details.