Fallen Police Officers Remembered on Gruelling Cycle Journey

Police officers killed in the line of duty are to be remembered as a team of serving Humberside Police officers embark on a gruelling 225 mile cycle journey.

The Police Unity Tour raises money for the national charity, Care of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S). The team will start their three-day journey on 28 July from York Minster then cycle to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. For the first time the route passes directly through Hull.

The riders, who include Humberside Police Constable Lee Freeman, will stop for lunch and a brief memorial service at the Priory Road headquarters.

PC Darren Kirkwood of Humberside Police will be riding for the fourth consecutive year. To date he has raised over £12,600 for C.O.P.S.

He explains: “The Unity Tour originally started with 18 cyclists in the USA. Over the years it has gone from strength to strength and now has several chapters across the UK. This year we have our own chapter and we are delighted to have the chance to build in a stop in Hull. We will be joined by some of the loved ones of our own fallen colleagues and we will have a short memorial service led by our police chaplain, Mary Vickers before continuing our journey.

Chief Constable Lee Freeman added:“The cycle ride will be personally challenging but it is a great honour to ride in memory of our lost colleagues. We have five officers taking part and each rider will wear a memorial wristband inscribed with the name and information of a police officer who died in the line of duty, which they will carry to the finish line.”

Anyone who would like to support the officers in their fundraising effort can do so at www.justgiving.com/companyteams/northeastchapter