Police Family Remembers Fallen Friends

South Yorkshire Police Federation has paid tribute to the many officers who took part in the Police Unity Tour this summer.

Participants on the long-distance cycle ride carry the name of an officer who has lost their life in the line of duty and raise money for Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a UK charity dedicated to helping the families of police officers and police staff who have lost their lives on duty.

Cyclists travel from their force area and end their journey at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where a Service of Remembrance is being held by COPS for their fallen friends and colleagues. This year, contributions from forces across England and Wales have made a fantastic £148,000.

Steve Kent, Federation Chair, said: “It was a fantastic effort and it was really nice as well that it was really supported from senior officers in our force. ACC Rick Alton was a driving force behind this, and we were pleased that South Yorkshire Group Insurance Scheme were proud to sponsor some of it and help with it. It was something that we were really pleased to be involved in.”

Federation Secretary Dave Baines attended the event, which was a “fantastic achievement” from all involved.