Every month West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund offers help and support to its police colleagues suffering from financial hardship or distress. The Fund was set up in 1974 and over the last 10 years it has handed out over £1 million in benefits to help serving and retired officers, police staff and their families. Public donations and legacies enables the charity to provide life changing equipment, including mobility aids, to members who have been injured whilst on duty. Donations will also support members diagnosed with a serious illness, recovering from life-changing surgery, coping with a chronic health condition.or dealing with an unexpected life event. The Benevolent Fund also offers convalescence and rehabilitation breaks to speed recovery or enhance well being as well as providing on going financial assistance to police widows and orphans.