Police Unity Tour: West Midlands Chapter captain thanks Fed for support

26 July 2024

The captain of the West Midlands Chapter of this year’s Police Unity Tour (PUT) has thanked the Federation for helping to fund her team ahead of the 200-mile bike journey beginning tomorrow (26 July).

After making her PUT debut last year, Staffordshire Police’s DS Hilary Boxer is leading the chapter, which is made up of four forces: West Midlands, West Mercia, Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

Federations representing the respective forces have each donated an amount to the chapter, which will go towards various costs including riders’ meals and overnight accommodation as they honour officers who have died in the line of duty.

Fifteen cyclists departed for Day 1 of the ride from West Mercia Police Headquarters this morning. Their journey will then conclude on Sunday (28 July) at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, where an annual service of remembrance will take place for fallen officers.

Last year’s West Midlands chapter prepare for the ride.

Each year, the service is organised by the Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity which supports the relatives of fallen officers through counselling and specialist bereavement services. Monies raised from the PUT will be forwarded to COPS to help them carry out their much-celebrated work.

Hilary said: “Everyone connected to our chapter is very grateful for the financial backing from our Federations, including West Midlands. It will go a long way to ensuring we can have a special weekend commemorating members of the police family we have lost.

“I am really looking forward to getting everyone on the road so we can mark those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for policing.”

Wristbands

As with tradition, riders will wear wristbands inscribed with the name of a fallen officer and will meet with their families over the course of the weekend.

This will firstly take place on the Saturday of the journey, at Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire, and then on the Sunday following the arboretum service, where the wristbands will be presented to the officers’ loved ones.

“There is an avenue of trees at the arboretum called ‘The Beat’, where there is a tree for each individual force which participates in the tour. This is where we will exchange the wristbands, which will be another emotional moment of a very emotional day,” Hilary added.

The chapter will set off at 8.30am tomorrow and will be guided through 200 miles by ride lead Sarah Grainger of West Mercia Police. As captain, Hilary has been responsible for the organisation of pulling four forces together as one outfit for the ride.

Hilary also confirmed the dates for next year’s PUT, set to be held from 1 - 3 August 2025.

Federation members can support the team by visiting their JustGiving page.

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