Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Chris Daniels - riding for PC David Phillips (Merseyside Police)
Holly Nelson - riding for PC David Green (West Midlands Police)
Martin Presland - riding for PC Cheryl Lloyd (Suffolk Constabulary)
Paul Spencer - riding for PC Brian Lashmar (Metropolitan Police Service)

Whilst realising the dangers of policing, nobody expects to die in the line of duty. When such a tragedy does occur, the surviving family endures emotions including denial, bewilderment, anger and depression.

The police service does not have the resources to maintain support for these families beyond the immediate aftermath of the death. That is where 'Care of Police Survivors' comes in.

Care of Police Survivors (otherwise known as COPS) is a UK registered charity dedicated to helping the families of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, rebuild their lives. It aims 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.

COPS enables survivors to help survivors. Only another survivor can fully understand what new survivors endure, and that shared experience is the basis for the peer support programme.

COPS aims to build a network of survivors around the UK, developing the capability of having a local survivor as soon as required. The extent of help provided will be controlled by the new survivor. Sometimes an understanding listener is needed. Sometimes more practical help is required. Whatever the need, COPS will be able to put survivors in touch with those who truly understand.

We (and COPS) would be very grateful if you could sponsor us to help the families of those who have lost their lives doing the job that they loved.

Thank you,