SUPPORT
TO LONDON WITH LOVE
Each year a group of police widows, most of who lost their husbands during the days of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, travel to London to make new friends and strengthen their bond with old friends
WHAT IS THE RUPERT FUND?
The City of London Police Federation Rupert Fund was established in 1975 to support widows and dependants of the then RUC. Its trademark is the Rupert Bear enamel badge.
The widow of a heroic Royal Ulster Constabulary police officer who was killed on duty has thanked the City of London Police Federation for helping to keep her as part of the Police Family – via the City of London Police Federation Rupert Fund.
Alwyn Baird is one of a number of former Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), presently Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), widows and mothers who travel to London every year for a weekend of reminiscing, friendship and solidarity. Alwyn is grateful to the Federation for making herself and her fellow widows and mothers always feel “special”. “The support the City of London Police
Federation has given is second to none and I just thank them from the bottom of my heart for all the fundraising they have done over the years,” she said. “I know I appreciate and the other ladies, of course, they do as well.”
INVALUABLE SUPPORT Alwyn’s husband, Constable Allen Baird, 28, tragically lost his life alongside three colleagues when a 200lb van bomb
exploded in Northern Ireland in 1979. Constable Baird was survived by Alwyn
and their two children, Gordon and Judith, who were aged seven and three, respectively, when their father died. At the end of October last year, Alwyn,
now 74, was brought to London as part of the Federation’s Rupert Weekend. She said: “I’ve been coming for such a long time; the first time I came here was in 1979, the year that my husband was killed. “I have to say that first year was very difficult, but thereafter it’s just a wonderful weekend to get out of Northern Ireland. “It was just nice to be able to relax and you were made so welcome, no matter where you went you just felt special.” Alwyn explained how amid the broad
array of events put on for the brave widows, often the remarkable people involved take the weekend to the next level. She added: “There are places we’ve been
taken to that we probably would never have gone on our own. “The friendships that we have actually
made as well (are special) because there are some widows with fabulous friendships that we have kept up.”
37 | POLICE | FEBRUARY | 2024
Although times have changed and media coverage of The Troubles in Northern Ireland isn’t what it was, there is just as much need to support those whose lives were changed by them. Each year a group of widows and dependants enjoy a long weekend in London and the Home Counties to allow a break and form friendship with others who have had similar experiences. This trip would not be possible without the support of this registered charity, and involvement of the Police Federations of British Transport Police, City of London, Kent, the Met and Surrey.
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