Golf fundraiser for ex-sergeant living with MND
22 October 2024
A golf tournament will be held this week in honour of a former West Midlands Police sergeant who is living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Friends and former colleagues of ex-sergeant Steve Knight are practising their swings ahead of a tournament at Stourbridge Golf Course on Thursday (24 October) which will raise money for the MND Association charity.
PC Richard Yardley, a friend of Steve’s over many years, said: “He is without doubt one of the nicest men you are likely to meet and that would be echoed by anyone who has ever worked with him and knows him. Steve is an absolute gent, and his only faults are being a Wolves fan and being responsible for my own golf obsession.”
He added that Steve is in ‘good spirits’ but is unfortunately becoming weaker and his illness is preventing him from doing the things he loved, such as playing golf.
Former West Midlands Police Sergeant Steve Knight.
“He will be there on Thursday and will no doubt be having a good laugh at our expense,” confirmed Richard. The golfers, who will number around 25, are hoping the weather will be kind and that are predicting some friendly rivalry.
The event will be also followed by a meal and a raffle.
Steve, who is now 58, joined West Midlands Police in 1987 and originally worked at Bournville Lane in various roles, from surveillance to neighbourhood policing and response. He was later stationed at West Bromwich and (from 2001) at Sandwell where he stayed until his retirement in 2017.
He has been married to Sam for 34 years, has four children and two young grandsons. He has been involved with the church in numerous roles and previously ran the Sandwell Police football team.
Steve was diagnosed with MND in February this year – a shock for all his friends and former police colleagues.
Richard, who has 21 years’ service and organises the Sandwell Police Golf Society, added: “We know that Steve and his wife will have all sorts of needs in future, so we wanted to raise money for a charity which helps people in their situation.”
A Just Giving page raising money for the MND Association in Steve’s name has netted £740 so far and many supportive messages.
