World Suicide Prevention Day: ‘Swim De Aky’ hero pays tribute to late North Yorkshire Police officer

10 September 2025

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), we spoke to former Federation member Kevin (Kev) Lacks-Kelly – one quarter of the successful Swim De Aky – about his dedication towards keeping the memory of good friend and late North Yorkshire Police officer PC Mick ‘Aky’ Atkinson alive.

Kev was in a reflective mood as he looked back on his involvement in the first-ever Swim De Aky, a 35-mile relay swim across the English Channel he completed together with three other heroic participants.

The challenge was founded this year as an extension of the better-known Tour De Aky, which has seen numerous Force officers and staff take part in an annual bike ride since 2018 – not only to remember Mick himself, but to raise money for mental health charities and causes close to his heart.

A year before this original event was established, Mick tragically took his own life at the age of 37, to the devastation of a family including three young children and friends, including long-time Force colleague, Kev.

 

 

“I still can’t believe I can call myself a Channel swimmer, to be honest – it’s because of Mick I am able to say that. I’d done all seven editions of the Tour De Aky so far, and then this opportunity presented itself when two people dropped out of the swim, leaving half a team remaining," said Kev.

“Another mate of mine from the Force, Dave Young, found this out through a Facebook post – like me, he’d been involved in the Tour De Aky before, and we both decided to go for it as a new challenge.

“I only had 12 weeks to prepare, but I owed it to Mick to step in. We first met as young PCs in Selby and were close mates from then on, and I’d never turn down the chance to honour him in whatever way I can, so it was a no-brainer.”

Alongside Dave and two teammates from outside of policing, Mark Baber and Nathan Pawlowski, Kev completed the incredible feat in 15 hours and 59 minutes – an official success recognised by the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation. 

Swimmers

The four swimmers relayed in one-hour blocks – having to stick to a strict order with Kev leading the way – and had to overcome various obstacles such as a delayed start due to weather, challenging conditions even when they did begin, seasickness, jellyfish, a discarded fishing net, sunburn and water ingestion.

“It was very tough, but personally, I always knew I was going to get it done for Mick. I found a lot of value in rallying the team and setting the tone by swimming first,” Kev continued. 

“When we finally finished, it was a beautiful feeling. The enormity of what we’d done came flooding in, which I think was made so huge by all the amazing support we had – so I’d like to thank everyone for their donations, well-wishes and encouragement.” 

Among the many challenges of the swim, Kev, who left North Yorkshire Police in 2022 and now works for Northumbria Police, added that one of his nicer encounters came when he was joined by a group of dolphins during his final hour in the water.

It was in that moment, the 45-year-old explained, that he felt strongly connected to his friend.

“I still miss him a lot. He was one of a kind – resilient, determined, larger than life, and would go out of his way to help anyone," continued Kev.

 

 

“He was so well-rounded as a person and as a cop, but he definitely found his vocation in the Force’s dog unit, becoming known as ‘Mick the dog handler’ by many colleagues.

“When he died, it was difficult beyond any words could describe. He had so many tools and skills both inside and outside of work, but not the tools to deal with his hardest battle.”

Kev went on to reveal that throughout his career, he has lost a further four friends in the Force to suicide – resulting in a very clear and passionate outlook on the way mental health can spiral within policing.

The chief inspector shared his thoughts on why officers may feel unequipped to deal with their mind at its lowest.

“As I said about Mick, he was such a skilled officer and prided himself on that – it was a massive part of his identity. So, when he started struggling, it was almost like he couldn’t rationalise the idea of being weak, as if it wasn’t suitable for someone in the police.

“But what we need to remember is that it is not weakness. It’s just being human, and we are human beings before we are anything else.

Feelings

“I don’t want to just say it’s important to talk, because I think everyone knows that by now. I’m more concerned with the internal battle, and how that relates to all the external pressures we [police] face from our government, our communities and even each other.

“Of course, our work conditions must improve, but there will always be an expectation on police officers to park their feelings – maybe you do it to get through a certain job, but it’s never something you should ever feel you have to do beyond that.

“You are allowed to feel and be human, and we should all remind each other of that.”

Federation members can still donate to the Swim De Aky – which has now raised almost £6000 for Andy’s Man Club, Menfulness and Yorkshire Air Ambulance – through its GoFundMe page.

For immediate mental health support, you can contact the Mental Health Crisis Line – designed for police officers and staff – day or night on 0300 131 2789.

Alternatively, non-police options include Samaritans (available 24/7) on 116 123 and the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK (available 6pm to midnight every day) on 0800 689 5652.