All tied up for Ben Fund

9 March 2026

A retired West Midlands Police chief inspector and a group of fellow police pensioners have helped raise £1,500 for the Benevolent Fund.

Two years ago Dennis Dixon and some former Force colleagues organised a reunion for retired C Division officers and police staff at Harborne Golf Club.

Those who went were asked to pay £5 to attend and the £350 left over when the venue hire was covered was donated to the West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund to support members facing illness, hardship or distress.

Invitation

“The following year we decided to organise a Force-wide reunion, this time at Aston Villa FC and we also extended the invitation to serving officers and staff too,” explained Dennis.

“We were asked to source ties for the former Birmingham City Police and, on this occasion, a further £1,150 was raised. Once again this was donated to the Ben Fund.”

As an added gesture, the ties remaining were donated in a presentation case to the families of eight former Birmingham City Police officers who had died in recent years.

Last year, Dennis was asked to source ties for the Force and, with the Chief Constable’s permission, the Force crest was depicted on three distinctively designed ties and a scarf.

These are now being offered for sale at £13 for the ties and £17 for the scarves, with a £3 charge for packing and postage. Any profits will once again be donated to the Benevolent Fund.

“More than 100 ties and scarves have so far been sold and are being worn with pride by serving and retired officers,” said Dennis.

Welcomed

Jess Davies, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, has welcomed the fundraising efforts.

“It’s great to see former officers continuing to support the Benevolent Fund which does so much for its subscribers,” says Jess.

“I hope that more officers and former colleagues consider buying these ties and scarves to help boost the fund’s work.

“For me personally, it’s particularly nice to hear what Dennis is doing in retirement as my Dad, who was just a probationer with the Force at the time, worked with him.”

If you would like to buy a tie or a scarf, please email Dennis.

About the Benevolent Fund:

West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund was set up in 1974 after several local forces combined to form West Midlands Police.

Subscription is £2 per month. You can apply for these benefits:

• Interest-free loans
• Grants
• Small gifts (sickness vouchers)
• Residential physiotherapy and wellbeing breaks
• Online counselling
• Death grants of £4,000 to nominated person – for serving members only
• £25 per week to children of deceased officer or police staff employee up to 16 years of age or 18 if in full-time education – for serving members only
• Discounted holidays at the fund’s holiday properties
• Exclusive rewards scheme offering a range of discounts
• Free will-writing service
• Access to family events.

You can join by completing an online form or download a PDF version to print, and send it back to the Benevolent Fund at Guardians House.