A team of officers from Staffordshire Police has completed the Police Unity Tour (PUT) long distance bike ride to raise vital funds for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity and have reminded colleagues, friends and family members there is still time to donate.
Stephen Flynn, Rich Hardy, Peter Fox, Ben Harrison, James Bream, Tom Ellerton, Steve Smith and Gareth Simons took part in the marathon three-day ride at part of the West Midlands PUT Chapter.
The ninth annual PUT event saw hundreds of police officers and staff from forces across the country take on a 180-mile bike ride to raise cash for COPS which supports the families of officers who have died while on duty.
Each of the riders wore a wristband specifically dedicated to a fallen officer.
Team captain Stephen Flynn said: “The eight of us challenged ourselves to take part in this year’s UK Police Unity Tour.
“COPS is trying to raise £150,000 and we would like to support them in raising as much as we can for this fantastic charity.
“COPS provides peer support opportunities and access to counselling services to help surviving family members rebuild their shattered lives.
“Since its foundation in 2003, it has helped hundreds of police families devastated by the loss of a loved one who died on duty.
“Unfortunately, each year there are more colleagues lost and the thin blue line gets thinner. COPS does its utmost to pick up the pieces.”
The fund-raising cyclists ended their journey at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas on Sunday (1 August) where they joined colleagues from across the country and the families of fallen officers for a poignant service of remembrance.
The Staffordshire team is urging colleagues, family and friends to get behind them and the COPS charity by making a donation via their PUT JustGiving page.
