This year I’m back on the two wheels again and whist I was giving my knees a break from trail running and ultra challenge walks I have to say I’ve rather taken to this two wheeled sport.

It was such a wonderful experience that it was never in question whether or not we would do it again but how much we would need to increase the distance to up the challenge.

The Dorset Team will be riding from our new HQ in Winfrith to the National Arboretum in Staffordshire over 4 days. This year we are raising the 230 mile route to over 260 miles with day 1 kicking off at 94 miles which will be my longest ever ride.

Why am I doing this?

1. I’m doing this for all COPS and their families.

2. My personal WHY is the same for any of the events that I undertake. It’s to remember and honour three amazing men, Dixie, Gareth and Andrew whom were part of my first police family. However for this event we ride specifically for a fallen officer. Last year I was honoured to ride for fallen Dorset Officer DC Robin POVALL and I am delighted to have been given that honour once again. Robin died on 7th March 2003 whilst cycling home from duty in Weymouth. I chose to ride in his memory because when I transferred to Dorset I started at Weymouth CID and I’m now working in the Serious Collision Investigation Team so it felt fitting that I should be able to represent Robin. With every pedal I will remember you.

3. I’m doing this in loving support of their family and friends who are left behind but never forgotten as they navigate along a journey they did not expect to embark on. With every pedal I shall think of you.

Most COPS join the job to help people because ultimately that's what COPS do. We swear an oath to serve King and Country. Helping people is what we do whether they want it or not. They call; we go. We are the ones to call when no one else fits. Every day an army of cops wakes up, dons some form of uniform and goes to work with the aim of doing the best job they can do that day. They leave their families behind and concentrate on the day ahead. What most cops don't think about is that they may not walk back through their door again. Invariably we always do but sometimes we don't.

So who helps to look after the families of those fallen officers and staff? Care of Police Survivors or COPS for short is independent of the Police Service and steps into that world of chaos and bereavement if and when a fallen officer's family choses to use their service.

I’ve witnessed a tiny piece of the work they do through the deaths of Gareth, Dixie and Andrew. Their wives are inspirational and I have the privilege of now knowing them all. What we see in them is strength and resilience that shines a light on those around them. They should not have to go through this but they are with the help of their family, friends and organisations like COPS.

Thank you for any help that you can give. Even the smallest donation strengthens each turn of the pedals of which there will be many. I will need all the help and support I can get! I may have done it once but this one is full of extra challenges!

All I am left to say is:

WE WILL REMEMBER. NEVER FORGOTEN. LOVED FOREVER.

*******

The Police Unity Tour is a long-distance cycle ride undertaken by hundreds of police officers across the UK in aid of Care of Police Survivors (COPS). The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. The secondary purpose of the UK tour is to raise funds for Care of Police Survivors, a UK charity dedicated to helping the families of police officers and police staff who have lost their lives on duty. The cyclists will join together and finish 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.