I am a serving police officer, it is a job that I love. However, it is not a job without it's dangers and too many of my colleagues have paid the ultimate price. 

This July I will be riding from London to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire with members of the police family from across the country. We will be covering 180 miles and will be raising money for COPS (Care Of Police Survivors) who help the families of police officers killed in the line of duty, rebuild their lives. Every rider will wear a blue memorial bracelet inscribed with the name and information of a police officer who died in the line of duty, which we will carry to the finish line.

Whilst realising the dangers of policing, nobody expects to die in the line of duty. When such a tragedy does occur, the surviving family endures emotions including denial, bewilderment, anger and depression.

The police service does not have the resources to maintain support for these families beyond the immediate aftermath of the death. That is where 'Care of Police Survivors' comes in.

Care of Police Survivors (otherwise known as COPS) is a UK registered charity dedicated to helping the families of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, rebuild their lives. It aims to ensure that survivors have all the help they need to cope with such a tragedy, and that they remain part of the police family.

COPS enables survivors to help survivors. Only another survivor can fully understand what new survivors endure, and that shared experience is the basis for the peer support programme.
COPS aims to build a network of survivors around the UK, developing the capability of having a local survivor as soon as required. The extent of help provided will be controlled by the new survivor. Sometimes an understanding listener is needed. Sometimes more practical help is required. Whatever the need, COPS will be able to put survivors in touch with those who truly understand.

COPS & I would be very grateful if you could sponsor me to help the families of those who have lost their lives doing the job that they loved.

Thank you,

Ben

@PC_BenP
#WeRideForThoseWhoDied
#COPS2016