Golfers beat the heat for Tour de Aky fundraiser

3 July 2026

The organiser of a golf day in memory of North Yorkshire Police PC Mick ‘Aky’ Atkinson has been hailed a huge success, despite being played in the middle of the heatwave.

The fifth annual Golf de Aky day brought together North Yorkshire Police officers and staff, and friends of Aky for a day of golf, camaraderie and fundraising.

A total of 70 golfers took part in the event, which adopted a new Ryder Cup-style format, in soaring temperatures at Low Laithes Golf Club in Wakefield.

A North Yorkshire Police team faced off against the self-styled People’s Republic of Rothwell, which was made up of friends from Aky’s home area.

 

Golfers enjoy the fifth annual Golf de Aky

 

Players were paired alongside people they had not met before to encourage new friendships and connections.

Acting Sergeant Pierre Olesqui launched the Tour de Aky in 2018 following Aky’s death by suicide to inspire officers and staff to get out in the open air and talk about their feelings and issues.

He said the new golf day format proved a real success.

Pierre said: “It was absolutely sweltering hot, so at times it was more of a test of endurance than a game of golf.

Camaraderie

“But it was played in great spirit and great camaraderie, and the feedback was really positive.

“What was nice was that people were paired with golfers they didn’t know from different walks of life. Everyone got on well, had a laugh together and really enjoyed the day.”

The Rothwell team claimed the honours on the course, but the biggest winner was the fundraising effort.

The day raised around £1,400 for the Tour de Aky charities, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Andy’s Man Club, and Menfulness.

It adds to the total already raised through this year’s Tour de Aky programme of events, with Pierre hoping to top the £10,000 mark.

The inaugural Tournoi de Aky seven-a-side football tournament was held at Hunslet Warriors in May.

Played during May’s heatwave, it brought together 10 teams, which were split into two leagues of five with each side playing the teams in their group before semi-finals and finals.

Enjoyable

Pierre said: “That went really well, and the Rothwell team won it again.

“I want to organise another one for next year, learn from this one and hopefully the next one will be bigger and even better.”

The junior Tour de Aky cycle ride followed in June, with 20 children, ranging from experienced young cyclists to youngsters on balance bikes, taking part in a ride from Harrogate to Ripley and back.

Pierre said: “That was a really enjoyable day. The weather wasn't great as it was a bit rainy.

“The kids challenged themselves to do the distances they could, and it went down really well.”

Attention now turns to the flagship Tour de Aky cycle ride on Saturday 18 July, with around 60 riders expected to take part.

Pierre said preparations were well under way with the route already finalised. Cyclists will take on a 106.6-mile route across Yorkshire, a distance that reflects Aky’s collar number, 1066.

Charities

He said: “It’s always a brilliant day. It’s great seeing people challenge themselves and come together to support the charities.

“Hopefully, we can finish the year strongly and break that £10,000 target again.

“And hopefully we can get people talking as well. I’m a big advocate of people talking.

“If you’re struggling, please don’t suffer in silence.

“There is help out there, and there are people who care. Sometimes you just need to reach out.”