COPS Unity Tour 2024
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A group of officers and staff will be taking part in a 200-mile charity bike ride this weekend raising money for COPS (Care of Police Survivors).
Between Friday 26th and Sunday 28th July, 20 members of North Wales Police – including Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, will be cycling and supporting, from Aberystwyth to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire as part of the 2024 COPS annual ‘UK Police Unity Tour’ ride.
COPS is a UK registered charity dedicated to helping the families of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. They aim to ensure to ensure that survivors have all the help they need to cope with such a tragedy, and that they remain part of the police family as they rebuild their lives.
The Police Unity Tour began in New Jersey, United States in 1997 to raise awareness for officers killed in the line of duty, honour their sacrifices and raise funds for families.
Superintendent Owain Llewellyn, who is facilitating North Wales Police’ involvement in this year’s tour said: “COPS is a fantastic charity that provides so much support to families of fallen officers.
“Cycling this tour is a way for us to all remember those fallen officers, and once again we’re looking forward in taking part and helping to raise money for a very worthwhile charity.
“Each rider will be issued a memorial bracelet inscribed with the name and information of a Police Officer who died in the line of duty, which we will carry to the finish line.
“The ride itself consists of approximately 200 miles over a testing route and will be completed over three days and is intended to be difficult for sombre reflection of the ultimate sacrifice given by our fallen colleagues. We’ll be joined by police forces from all over the UK and we will ride together to the National Police Arboretum in Staffordshire for a Memorial Service.
Supt Llewellyn added: “A number of fundraising events have been held including a cake sale and we’d like to thank everyone who has contributed so far. We are grateful for any donation – big or small and whatever people can afford. Donations can be given via our Just Giving page. Please support us if you can.”
The teams will also be supported by the North Wales Police Federation Welfare Van.
Two officers recently completed a 200-mile ‘warm up’ bike ride ahead of the main event to raise awareness of the Unity Tour and of the COPS charity.
Chief Inspector Rob Rands, based on Anglesey, and Inspector Mike Andrew who is based at St Asaph Custody travelled from Holyhead to Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay. Day one consisted of a 101-mile ride from Holyhead, via Barmouth over to Bala. They stayed overnight at Bala Police Station before commencing with their journey the following day to Colwyn Bay – travelling via Llangollen, Wrexham, Mold and Denbigh.
Chief Inspector Rob Rands said: “We wanted to visit as many police stations as possible as part of the warmup ride to help raise further awareness.
“The COPS charity is one that every police officer should be aware of and support as much as they can. We all attend work each and every day, and are very much aware of the dangers that we all could face. If on the way to work, at work, or the journey home – if something would happen to us we know that the COPS charity would be there for our loved ones.
“Apart from having a burst water pipe at Penygroes, which meant we could not refill our water bottles, we also endured a restless night and suffered some tumbles on the way meaning we needed a bandage or two. All in all it was a great opportunity to raise the profile of the tour and get some practice before the main event.”
North Wales Police Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “The COPS charity is extremely close to my heart and it is always a real honour to take part in this event. The Unity Tour is certainly an event which makes us proud to be part of the police family.
“The work that COPS do is absolutely essential, and whilst nobody should ever have to use their services, the sad fact is that they are required. It is an absolute privilege to collectively ride in memory of our fallen colleagues, to show that we, as a police service, will never forget their sacrifice.”
Itinerary
Day 1: Thursday 25th July
- The four Welsh forces will travel and meet in Aberystwyth – approx. 130 miles for those travelling from North Wales.
Day 2: Friday 26th July (official start of the Unity Tour)
- The Welsh chapter will travel from Aberystwyth via Rhayader, Ludlow and Telford – approx. 100 miles.
Day 3: Saturday 27th July
- Travel from Telford via Stone to Tamworth – approx. 75 miles
Day 4: Sunday 28th July
- Travel from Tamworth to the National Memorial Arboretum – approx. 15 miles.
Those wishing to donate to the cause can do so via justgiving.com
Social media users can follow the North Wales riders by following the #UKPUT #NWPUnityTourRide24 and #WeRideForThoseWhoDied hashtags via Facebook, Instagram and X.
Further information regarding the tour is available via the website https://ukpoliceunitytour.org/
Find out more about the COPS charity via Care of Police Survivors - Support for Bereaved Families | COPS UK (ukcops.org)