Nottinghamshire Police pay tribute to fallen officers through charity bike ride

A cycling team made up of members of the policing family have set off on a mammoth bike ride in memory of fallen officers.

The 72-strong cycling group left Nottinghamshire Police’s headquarters first thing yesterday (July 26) on the opening leg of their 170-mile journey.

Officers from across the East Midlands have taken to the roads in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity.

COPS helps families of police personnel who have died while on duty, with the three-day Police Unity Tour supporting this valuable cause each year.

Anyone wishing to send in a donation can do so by visiting: PUT East Midlands Chapter is fundraising for Care of Police Survivors (justgiving.com).

This year’s event is specifically poignant in Nottinghamshire, following the tragic loss of Sergeant Graham Saville, a response officer based at Newark Police Station, who died while on duty last August.

Chief Constable Kate Meynell is among the 28 representatives from Nottinghamshire Police taking part and will be riding in memory of Sgt Saville.

Police Constables Ged Walker and Christopher McDonald will be among the other Nottinghamshire Police officers who will be honoured during the ride.

Dog handler PC Walker tragically lost his life while on duty in 2003, while PC McDonald was killed in 1978 when he responded to reports of a burglary in Worksop.

All participants are wearing metal wristbands, which contain the name of the officer they’re riding in memory of, as well as their date of birth, which force they served at, and the date when they died.

Each of the riders — including colleagues from forces in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire — met at the starting line at Nottinghamshire Police’s headquarters early yesterday morning.

After completing 46 miles of the first leg of their mammoth challenge, they returned to Force HQ a few hours later, where they were given a rousing reception as they arrived at the entrance.

Following a well-earned lunch break, the riders joined dozens of other police colleagues on site for a well-attended memorial service paying tribute to Sgt Saville and all other fallen officers.

The cyclists then got back on their bikes and continued their gruelling trail in the direction of Leicestershire to close the first day’s riding.

They are due to carry on their route throughout the weekend and arrive at the finishing line at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, on Sunday (July 28).

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Lefford, organiser of this year's ride, said: “This year’s Police Unity Tour is the biggest one we’ve been involved in so far and it’s fantastic to see how much support we’ve received.

“There are some keen cyclists but also some who are cycling for the first time. It’s not a race in any shape or form — we do it as a team and support each other, which is brilliant.

“Seventy-two of us from across the East Midlands will be taking on the challenge, including three chief constables, which really showcases the unity of our policing family in pulling together for such a good cause.

“COPS is a great charity that provides excellent support for the families of fallen officers, so we’re honoured to be able to support them through initiatives like the Police Unity Tour.”

Chief Constable Kate Meynell added: “The loss of Sgt Saville last August deeply affected everyone here at Nottinghamshire Police, so it’s important that we were able to pay tribute to him and all our fallen colleagues.

“Bearing all of this in mind, it’s really heartening to see so many of our officers and ones from neighbouring forces come forward to take part in this year’s event and support what is such an invaluable cause.”