Join the Police Unity Tour, says Federation chair

18 April 2024

Honouring fallen officers by taking part in the annual Police Unity Tour is an unforgettable experience, according to West Mercia Police Federation chair Steve Butler.

Steve has taken part in the Police Unity Tour a number of times before, joining the West Midlands Chapter which includes riders from West Mercia Constabulary, West Midlands Police, Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

“The route for the tour takes us from the Force to the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire in two days meaning that it covers around 180 miles. It can be quite demanding but there is a great team spirit and everyone is spurred on by knowing that they are doing their bit to help support the families of our fallen colleagues,” says Steve.

“It really is an unforgettable experience.”

West Mercia Police Federation chair Steve Butler (centre) is encouraging members to take part in the Police Unity Tour.

Steve was speaking as registration opened for this year’s event. Entrants can register online paying a non-refundable registration fee of £150 to offset the costs of two nights’ accommodation and a Police Unity Tour cycling jersey.

The cyclists will set off from their home forces on Friday 26 July and head to the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire for the annual COPS service of remembrance on Sunday 28 July.

They all wear a wristband engraved with the name of a fallen officer and at the end of the ride, where possible, present this to the family of that officer.

The Police Unity Tour is now in its 12th year and has raised more than £1.2 million to fund the invaluable peer support offered to families through COPS.

COPS was founded in 2003 by Jim McNulty and Christine Fulton (MBE). Jim was a retired police officer from Strathclyde Police while Christine’s husband PC Lewis Fulton was murdered on duty in Glasgow in 1994.

The charity contacts the survivors of every officer who loses their life on duty, explaining what support the charity can offer and inviting them to get in touch if they need such support.

Find out more about COPS.