Pedal power helps Care of Police Survivors (COPS)
26 July 2018
West Midlands Police officer and avid road cyclist Stu Collins is taking part in this weekend’s Police Unity Tour (PUT), the annual 180-mile cycle ride completed by policing teams around the country to raise funds for Care of Police Survivors (COPS).
Stu is part of the West Midlands Chapter of the tour and, along with all the PUT cyclists, will wear a wristband honouring a fallen police officer in his case PC James Davies of Worcestershire Constabulary who was killed arresting a theft suspect in 1885.
Stu explains: “Representing him has personal meaning as I previously policed the same beat he did 130 years before me and I grew up, lived and still ride in the same area.”
The Force is also being represented by recently retired Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman who rides for his father, PC Kerim Blakeman, and Sean Walker, a police staff member, riding for his father, PC Mac Walker. Gill Wall, a member of police staff from Lloyd House, forms part of the seven-strong support team.
In addition, officers from other forces in the chapter, which is made up of 29 riders, are riding for fallen West Midlands Police PCs Michael Chapman, Anthony Salt and Deborah Harman-Burton.
“This is the second year that a West Midlands Chapter has taken part in the tour and also my second participation in the tour. I’ve been especially honoured to be asked to plan and deliver the route for the West Midlands Chapter this year, to be part of the organising team and also to be a marshal for the team for a second year,” says Stu.
“I’m a committed road cyclist and I live and breathe everything about the challenge, culture and camaraderie of the sport. I ride around 300 days and up to 15,000km a year - for my club, in events and constantly training, commuting or riding personal challenges, so the Unity Tour is something very different that has a huge impact and contribution to people’s lives, as well as being hugely relevant to my own life as a serving officer. It’s a great source of pride to be part of it.”
So far, the chapter, which includes nine new members this year, has raised more than £7,600 for COPS, the charity dedicated to supporting the families of fallen officers, and hopes to boost this figure further.
The West Midlands Chapter sets off, after a short service, from West Mercia Police Headquarters, early Friday (27 July) and will cover 104 miles of Herefordshire and Shropshire countryside stopping in Shrewsbury for a short memorial service for PC Ricky Gray, a West Mercia Police firearms officer killed in 2007, before ending the day in Telford.
Day 2 covers 75 miles to Cannock Chase and meeting up with other chapters from across the country. From there, they ride together to a reception at Drayton Manor where the families of fallen officers meet the tour. Day 3 is a short ride, with the other chapters, into the National Memorial Arboretum where the annual COPS service of remembrance will be held.
“Last year, more than 300 riders were present and the sight of the tour riding en masse into the arboretum was something that stayed with all of us,” Stu recalls.
In preparation for the tour, Stu has been making the most of the summer, enjoying seven-hour 200km plus rides through North Wales, Rutland and the Peaks, fast-paced Saturday morning club rides and a couple of weeks abroad, one on the fast but windy flatlands of the Vendée and one in the hills around Andalusia.
He says: “It’s fair to say I’ve had an epic year of riding so far, and the tour adds to that. I know that many of our other riders have really taken on the challenge, gradually upping their mileage, getting stronger and faster, making the most of their club rides or joining group rides for the first time, even purchasing their first road bike. I’ve certainly seen that Kerry has been putting some hard miles in!
“The tour is no doubt a physical challenge for a cyclist of any level but everyone at the start line on Friday has done everything they can to take it on.”
