The Police Unity Tour is a long-distance cycle ride undertaken by hundreds of police officers across the UK. The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. The secondary purpose of the UK tour is to raise funds for Care of Police Survivors, a UK charity dedicated to helping the families of police officers and police staff who have lost their lives on duty. The cyclists will finish their journey at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where a Service of Remembrance is being held by COPS for their fallen friends and families. 

I rode the virtual tour in 2020 due to the pandemic but completed my first real event in August 2021. I followed this up by riding my second virtual tour in November 2021 by riding indoors 100 miles a day for three consecutive days. On all these rides I have been honouring the memory of Stuart Ross. I was Stuart’s crewmate on traffic, best mate and neighbour in the 1990’s. Stuart was killed in a police helicopter crash late evening on 09/10/98 just after the aircraft took off to join the pursuit of a stolen car in Stratford-upon-Avon. The pilot and second observer survived but Stuart was found dead at the scene in the early hours of 10/10/98. Stuart left his wife Brenda and stepdaughter Louise. Following the crash, Brenda was diagnosed with a brain tumour but with the help of Warwickshire Police and close colleagues, we were able to provide the support she needed. These were difficult times and it is reassuring that the COPS charity now exists to provide formal, structured support to bereaved families of police officers killed on duty. 

Last year was a very emotional event for me. I thought I was prepared for it but the experience at the Arboretum took me by surprise. The physical effort was not the challenge but I was overwhelmed by the Service of Remembrance and meeting the survivors. It made me realise how fortunate I was to be able to serve as a police officer for 30 years before enjoying retirement since 2014 and a second career teaching and researching at university. This year I will be 60 years young. I can’t think of a better way of celebrating than remembering my best mate by riding again to raise money for COPS. 

Please give generously to my appeal if you possibly can. 

Thank You, Keith.