Young men and women are being killed or seriously wounded every day during the war in Ukraine. These men and women are not soldiers but civilian police officers and investigators.

This year I was fortunate enough to have met 2 groups of officers from the National Police of Ukraine (NPU) during a training course organised by the College of Policing. As a trainer with the College, along with a colleague, we delivered investigation and interview techniques.

In our 34 years of policing within the UK I have never been so humbled by a group of people. These investigators, often very young, were tasked to investigate some of the most horrendous cases from war crimes committed in their country. They told us about their experiences. There willingness to learn was incredible even as their phones were omitting loud siren alerts indicating their region was under attack they would still come back into the room to carry on the lesson. Every day 8.30am to 4pm they came. Each day, we learnt more of them as individuals and as investigators. We could not help but admire their courage, resilience and humility. They live and police under the most extreme conditions.

Two of the students were seriously injured in a mortar attack in the Sumy region. A police station had been targeted and investigators were sent the next day to start their work. Whilst they were there, further shells were dropped. Officers were killed and seriously injured. Tonight both fight for their lives.

These officers are just casualties of war, but they were just doing their job. They leave behind wives, husbands and children.

The aim is to raise money to he'll support these families in their hour of need.

Every penny raised will be sent to support the families of injured or deceased officers.