Police cyclists set off on charity bike ride

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary officers and staff set off today to complete a 300-mile charity bike ride to raise money for families of those who have died in the line of duty.

The UK Police Unity Tour is an annual long-distance ride which this year will see 480 cyclists, representing forces across the country, converge on the UK Police Memorial at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Those taking part from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and Thames Valley Police joint chapter set off today (31 July) from the police training headquarters in Netley and aim to complete the challenge on Sunday 3 August.

Our chapter have already completed an additional 50-mile ride around the Isle of Wight yesterday (30 July). This extra leg of the tour was added last year to raise even more awareness of officers who have died in the line of duty.

Each rider cycles in memory of an individual officer who has died in the line of duty. The primary aim of the ride is to raise awareness of fallen police officers, but the event also raises money for Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity which supports the families left behind.

Last year's ride raised £228,000 for the charity, with £20,000 coming from our joint Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Thames Valley chapter.

This year our team has a total of 36 riders, led by DC Luke Fairchild from the Fareham and Gosport District Policing Team.

He said: "This will be my fourth ride, after I joined the joint Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Thames Valley chapter in 2022.

"I will be riding in memory of for Justin Nevard, a safety camera enforcement officer. I worked with Justin in the Summary Justice Unit. Unfortunately Justin died unexpectedly in 2021 of a heart attack while on duty. 

"It is such a special event and I’m really proud to ride in Justin’s memory as well as those of all the fallen officers. 

"Please donate if you are able to, to raise money to fund the amazing work that the COPS charity does to support their bereaved families."

Acting Chief Constable of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Sam de Reya will be cycling for the first time, in remembrance of PC Jeffrey Whitcombe, Jeffrey died on duty following a medical episode on 25 February 1987

She said: "I'm so honoured to be a part of such a meaningful event. The work that COPS does is absolutely vital to all of those families of who have lost loved ones.  The team members riding for the Unity Tour feel passionately about this cause and I am privileged to be participating along with such a great bunch of staff, officers, survivors and volunteers who make this all happen.

"If you can spare anything to support this amazing charity, please donate whatever you are able to. Every penny will help then continue their incredible work."

Mr Nigel Welham, of Thames Valley Police, is riding in memory of Ian Coward QPM and has led our joint chapter since it was first established in 2018.

He said: “Since my first involvement in the Unity Tour, I have been gripped by the overwhelming emotion you go through when participating alongside colleagues and survivors of fallen officers. The work of COPS is quite remarkable and I need little motivation to participate. In fact I can’t say no to an event that’s grown from 30 riders to nearly 500 since 2013.

“When all the riders from across the country ride into the National Memorial Arboretum, meeting the families, it is absolutely incredible and a privilege to be a part of. It inspires me to lead our joint Chapter again this year.” 

To donate to the team’s fundraising efforts, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/hiowc-tvp?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL