Fundraising officers pedal 180 miles to take part in memorial service

23 August 2022

West Midlands officers have helped raise more than £10,000 for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity by cycling to the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA).

Local Federation chair Rich Cooke and colleagues, including Chief Superintendent Andy Beard, pedalled 180-miles over two days as part of the Police Unity Tour (PUT) annual bike ride that remembers police officers who have died in the line of duty.

They joined 300 riders in travelling to the NMA in Staffordshire to attend the COPS annual service of remembrance on Sunday (21 August).

Rich, who was taking part in the Police Unity Tour for a third time, said: “The ride was definitely challenging – I’m not as fit as I used to be. But to be there and see how much our efforts meant to the families and colleagues of officers we lost in service made it all so worthwhile.

“This is such an important and special day and it’s important that the families know their loved ones are never forgotten, but also that the police family will continue to be there for them too, and COPS does such brilliant work.”

All those participating in the ride wore a wristband dedicated to a fallen officer –Rich was riding for PC David Green, a 20-year-old officer who was fatally stabbed on duty on 17 July 1975.

The West Midlands Brass Band played throughout the service, conducted by PC Barney Barnes, and there were two songs from singer Diane Whylie.

Speeches were given by COPS national president Gill Marshall, whose husband Alan was killed on duty in 2006, the charity’s chief executive Tim Buckley and chair of trustees Sir Peter Fahy QPM.

Emma Fields spoke movingly of the death of her husband and partner of 22 years, PC Dave Fields of South Yorkshire Police, who was killed in a road collision on duty on Christmas Day five years ago. She talked about the dreaded knock at the door that turned her life upside down and the heart-breaking moment she had to break the news to their two children.

After the funeral, Emma received a letter from the COPS who put her in touch with a local survivor called Angela. Emma explained: “It was nice to speak to someone who had been through what I was going through and made me realise that, although hard you could continue to live.”

She also thanked everyone who took part in the Unity Tour, ending with the poignant observation that “loss is forever, but so is love.”

Wreaths were laid on behalf of policing organisations and the service was concluded by families and colleagues of fallen officers placing red roses on the trees representing the police forces of the UK.

Richard Cooke is fundraising for Care of Police Survivors (justgiving.com)