CHARITY LIGHTS OF HOPE


Light the Lakes sees officers and staff climbing Wainwright Peaks in the Lake District to raise money for Care of Police Survivors (COPS)


Members light their flares after a four-hour trek up Mardale III Bell and Kidsty Pike


In 2012, Detective Constable Heather Cooper was murdered by her partner. Her father, retired Police Sergeant Ian Davis, and Heather’s two young children were supported in the aftermath of the tragedy by COPS. Ian wanted to give back and decided to set up a charity walk to raise funds. The first event took place on 28 April 2012, with almost 600 police officers, colleagues and friends taking part in climbing the Wainwright Peaks. The event raised in excess of £30,000 and Light the Lakes was born. Climbs take place over all 214


44 | POLICE | AUGUST 2022


Wainwright fells, with groups of climbers choosing their own peak to conquer. At 3am, all walkers light a blue flare in honour


“I am proud to represent Staffordshire Police and raise money for such a brilliant and worthy cause”


of those officers who have lost their life. Lighting the peaks acts as a time of reflection for the police family. On 17 June, a team from Staffordshire


Police, including Chief Constable Chris Noble, Retired Chief Constable Jane Sawyers and Staffordshire Regional Rep Hayley Aley, trekked for four hours up Mardale Ill Bell and Kidsty Pike to light


their flares. Despite the cold, wet weather, the team remained stoic in their efforts and climbed more than 700 metres to light their flares. Staffordshire Police


Fed Rep and Treasurer Claire Bond said: “We were told that the first couple of miles of the


four-mile walk would be uphill and they were right, we were huffing and puffing within minutes. However, the chatter among the group and learning about each other while trudging up the hill kept us content and motivated. “Upon approaching the top of the peak, the weather started to close in on us and it became very foggy and chilly. The wind


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