North Yorkshire Police Federation rep Sergeant Josh Snaith says taking on the 200-mile Police Unity Tour (PUT) is the least he can do for the families of fallen officers.

Josh is preparing for his fifth PUT in support of Care of Police Survivors (COPS), which supports the families of officers who have died on duty.

He will join colleagues from North Yorkshire Police, and across the North East Chapter, for a three-day cycling event from 7 to 9 August that finishes at the UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Josh, who has been a Fed rep for around a year, said: “I've done it for the last four years and originally signed up because a friend was taking part.

“Every year, when I’m really blowing, I think this will be my last one. And then the next year comes and I think why shouldn’t I do it?

“At the end of the day, I can get on my bike and pedal, and while I'm doing it, I can raise money for a charity that supports families who have lost a loved one in policing and makes an incredible difference.”

Sergeant Josh Snaith is preparing to ride the Police Unity Tour

Riders from North Yorkshire Police will cycle alongside colleagues from Durham, Northumbria, Humberside, and Cleveland Police as part of the North East Chapter.

The tour begins early on 7 August in Hull, with a 100-mile ride to Worksop.

On day two, riders will cover around 80 miles to Tamworth and join up with around 600 cyclists from across the country for a convoy ride to Drayton Manor, where the families and loved ones of fallen officers gather for the annual COPS Survivors’ Weekend.

Each cyclists wears a wristband engraved with the name of a fallen officer and carries it throughout the tour before presenting it to their loved ones at the COPS Survivors’ Weekend.

Josh says this is one of the most powerful parts of the event.

Families

He said: “When you arrive, you've got all the families there clapping you in.

“You hand over the wristband and spend a few minutes with them.

“Some families have lost their loved one recently, others many years ago, but they're still so grateful that officers continue to remember them.

“That's when you realise that what you're doing genuinely matters.”

The final day features a 20-mile ceremonial ride into the National Memorial Arboretum, where all the cyclists will take part in a final procession and attend the National Service.

Memorial grounds

Josh said: “You've got hundreds of cyclists and motorbike outriders riding through the memorial grounds together.

“Then during the service, they read out the names of officers who have died in the previous year.

"When you hear the number of officers we've lost each year, it really brings home why we're there."

Josh said that this year’s PUT will take on added poignancy for the North East Chapter after the death of Northumbria Police officer PC Jess Turnbull.

He said: “Some of the people we’ll be riding with will know Jess and will probably have worked with her.

“Last year was similar for us after the loss of PC Rosie Prior. I knew Rosie briefly when she first joined, I was present during elements of her initial training.

Support for bereaved families

“It just brings it all home and why we’re doing it.”

Josh also highlighted the commitment of COPS to bereaved families, including its support for children.

He said: “You don't really think about the reality that any of us could go to work and not come home.

"If that happens, it's your family who are left behind.

"The work of COPS is incredible. It is still helping families many years later, whether that’s weekends away, or even things like helping young people with driving lessons.

“That ongoing support means a huge amount and is something policing can’t really do.”

North Yorkshire Police representatives

Representing North Yorkshire Police this year will be:

Supporting the cyclists are:

And Josh praised the ‘incredible’ support team that helps the tour run smoothly.

Around 30 volunteers support the North East Chapter, including police and civilian motorbike outriders, first aiders, and logistics teams who prepare rest stops along the route.

Incredible operation

Josh said: “It's an incredible operation.

“The planning for next year's tour starts almost as soon as this year's finishes.

“We're just peddling away and they're keeping eye on us to make sure we’re looking after ourselves.

“They're setting up food and water for us for when we come to our rest points.

“If someone's got something wrong with a bike, there’s experienced cyclists on hand to offer assistance with any repairs. They just make the tour so much easier.”

Members can support the team by via its JustGiving page.

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