Derbyshire officers and staff members embark on an two-day 180-mile in aid of charity

On Friday 30 July, a group of Derbyshire officers and staff members embarked on a two-day 180-mile cycle ride which will finish at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The tour is in aid of Care Of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity dedicated to supporting the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.

The riders from the East Midlands Region were joined by a small group of friends and families of the police officers and staff members we have sadly lost over the years, as well as our lead Chaplain Ami Lindo, Deputy Chief Constable Kate Meynell, Chair of Police Federation Tony Wetton and Police Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster for a short memorial service before heading off on their ride.

The ride will finish on today (Sunday 1 August) where they will join other tour groups from around the country, for the Care of Police Survivor’s Annual Service of Remembrance.

Malcolm Shakespeare, who organised the Derbyshire part of the unity tour, said: “Being able to ride for our fallen police officers and staff members over the years has been an honour.

“Seeing the Derbyshire group of riders grow from two to nine over the past few years has been excellent and given a much-needed boost to the fundraising pot. The work that COPs does is absolutely essential, and while nobody should ever have to use their services, the sad fact is that they are required. It is an absolute privilege to ride and meet with fellow officers and staff members from across the country, remember our colleagues and raise money for such a fantastic cause."

“Being able to ride for our fallen police officers and staff members has been an honour.”

The team have set up a JustGiving page to raise money for COPS and you can donate to this extremely worthy cause on JustGiving: Malcolm Shakespeare is fundraising for Care of Police Survivors (https://bit.ly/19tDg0I)