REGIONAL NEWS
LAKES LIGHT UP FOR FALLEN OFFICERS
Police officers, staff and supporters have climbed the Wainwright peaks in the Lake District to light a flare in memory of fallen colleagues. This year, the climbers were joined
in the Light the Lakes event by PC Claire Bond, a Pride of Britain winner who broke both her legs three years ago in a courageous attempt to stop a dangerous driver in Staffordshire. Claire still suffers from her injuries but was determined to complete the climb on 18 - 19 June. She was joined by PFEW National
Board member and Wellbeing Lead Hayley Aley, alongside officers from Staffordshire and West Midlands Police, friends, family, retired chief constable Jane Sawyer and Staffordshire’s High Sheriff Jamie Friend. The event, which coincided with
World Wellbeing Week raised money for Care of Police Survivors (COPS)
which helps the bereaved families of police officers rebuild their lives and aims to build a network of survivors throughout the UK. Claire revealed: “The climb was much, much harder than I expected, but so rewarding. This has to be one of the best weekends I’ve had in a long time, spent with family, old friends and new ones, and raising a huge amount of money for charity.” Hayley said: “It was such an honour
to represent both Staffordshire Police Federation and PFEW at this amazing event. It was a huge challenge but so humbling to see so many torches lit up across the peaks to remember our fallen colleagues. It was a visible reminder of how many in the policing family value and support COPS. “An example of the determination of the policing family was PC Amelia Breckons from Northumbria. Her
colleagues unfortunately had to cancel out of her team, but she showed true policing spirit and continued to walk her force’s peak, the Lord’s Seat, on her own. She pitched her tent and lit her torch to honour fallen colleagues even though she was the only one on her peak; truly inspiring.” COPS patron, model, TV personality,
and now Special Constable, Penny Lancaster joined the 42 forces represented at the event. Lissie Harper also lit a flare in memory of her husband, Thames Valley PC Andrew Harper. Organiser Vinny Wagjinai, a
detective sergeant from Surrey Police, is working to make next year’s Light the Lakes just as spectacular, as it will be the 10th anniversary event, with fundraising opportunities throughout the year. To sign up for the 2022 event on 17 -18 June go to
https://lightthelakes.org.uk
39 I POLICE I AUGUST 2021
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