Surrey Police Federation Chair becomes a Trustee for The Gurney Fund
5 August 2021
The Chair of Surrey Police Federation, Mel Warnes, said she “jumped at the chance” to become a Trustee for The Gurney Fund, which supports children of officers who have died or retired on ill health grounds.
She takes over as Sergeants’ Trustee from Surrey Police Federation Secretary Paul Campbell, who is retiring.
Mel said: “The Gurney Fund is a fantastic charity and it helps an awful lot of Surrey children, because unfortunately we have many who have been referred to the Fund.
“I was aware of the good work that the charity does and when I had an opportunity to take over from Paul, I jumped at the chance.”
The Gurney Fund supports children financially through a weekly allowance, and additional funds may also be available for educational reasons such as school trips, musical instruments and tuition, school uniform and driving lessons. In non-COVID times the Fund also runs summer activity and sailing holidays where the children can meet others in similar situations.
Mel encouraged Surrey Police officers to donate to The Gurney Fund for just 88p a month.
She said: “It’s a great organisation and it’s about helping children, whether it’s to get their driver’s licence or put them through university. Losing a parent who was a police officer, or a parent that is now ill-health retired, they more often than not will need financial assistance. So to think about putting somebody through university or just buying a laptop for a child to assist them in their school work, is an amazing thing.”
Mel said she was looking forward to her first meeting, where she would help to allocate funds and make sure the children have everything they need.
She said: “You see the help that it can give children and it’s about spending the money in the right way. It’s tangible and, COVID-permitting, hopefully next year we can start the holidays again and help the children get away. They meet other children in similar circumstances and have a great time together.”
