In September 2013 I received an invite from my friend, Dave Noble, to his 40th birthday party in October 2014.  This was quickly followed by a phone call during which he said that he didn't want any birthday presents, but wanted everyone to contribute to a Charity Bucket that would be going round at his party, all to raise money for COPS - Care Of Police Survivors.

It soon snowballed from there, and he asked me to use our company, Panther Training & Operations to help him with his projects in raising funds for COPS.  It was to begin with the Coast to Coast bike ride, from Whitehaven to Whitley Bay - a route of around 140miles.  

Originally, I was tasked with providing the support vehicle, and medical cover for the riders, but after Northumbria Police kindly offered to lend us one of their vehicles, it left me with just the medical cover and kit to supply....   Dave quickly responded to this by asking me, sorry, "announcing", that I would now be able to ride along! Bearing in mind I haven't sat in a saddle for over 20 years, and didn't even own a bike, this was a little of a surprise... but, after a moments' thought - I signed up.

In addition to the Coast to Coast in April, we have a Zip Line across the Tyne, The 3 Peaks Challenge (Scar Fell, Snowdonia and Ben Nevis) and a charity football match between Local Door Supervisors and The Police....  Dave is also raising money at local boxing events, and with collection jars at all of the venues where his company, NE1 Security provide Door Supervisors and more.

The cumulation of all of this will be in the presentation of a cheque for all monies collected and raised to a representative of COPS at Dave's Birthday Party on 4th October 2014.

The people taking part in the Coast to Coast so far are:

DI Mark Noble - Kent Police

PC Ian Gillie - Whitley Bay Police

PC Geoff Bone - Whitley Bay Police

PC Ian Hook - Whitley Bay Police

Dave Noble - NE1 Security

Gary Dale - NE1 Security

Chris Scott - NE1 Security

Garry Moodie - NE1 Security

Adam O'Hare - NE1 Security

Stew McBrearty - NE1 Security

Craig Graham - NE1 Security

Ralph Short - NE1 Security

Dale Sparkes - Panther Training & Operations

Adam Kasher

Sam Pritchard

 

We also have a support vehicle, staffed by:

PCSO Steve Cato - Whitley Bay Police

James Mills - Mechanic

Barry Noble - Medical Support + Team Chef

 

We have received help and support from the following organisations:

Pegatin Pro Cycles,

Northumbrian Water,

Panther Training & Operations,

Northumbria Police (a special thanks to Inspector Jim Gray from Whitley Bay Police),

Kent Police,

NE1 Security,

Priory Taxis of Tynemouth,

The Avalon Bar & Hotel in Whitley Bay,

High Maintenance Beauty Salon,

The Bike Place in Kielder

Team Johnson Boxing.

Please, share our page and support our efforts by donating anything you can - every little helps.

We are welcoming support from businesses and corporate sponsorship - please speak to either Dave or myself for information.

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