Chair of trustees at COPS Sir Peter Fahey, COPS patron Penny Lancaster, and national president of the charity Gill Marshall
Winter Ball 2022 raises more than £30,000 for COPS
A very special last-minute surprise from tv presenter and special constable Penny Lancaster has helped raise more than £30,000 for the charity.
COPS Winter Ball 2022, sponsored by police support service provider SSCL, took place at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield.
The black-tie event included lavish drinks reception, a three-course dinner, live entertainment, and a lively auction hosted by COPS patron Penny, who added a surprise lot.
Penny stunned the room by offering a money can’t buy VIP experience to meet her music legend husband Rod Stewart and attend one of his shows later this year.
She said: “I’m really pleased the auction, including my surprise lot, went well and raised so much money – COPS is a charity that is close to my heart, so it was an honour to help.”
The unexpected auction lot saw a bidding war erupt among guests, but was eventually won by a determined Mark Hyde from local company Hyde Engineering.
Mark said: “I had no idea this would happen. I am a fan of Rod Stewart, but I also wanted to support COPS. It’s an incredible charity that really helps people, and you can see the support it gives. You know it makes a real difference to families who really need it.”
He added: “I wasn’t planning on spending that much, but COPS is worth it – plus I’m really looking forward to meeting Rod.”
Penny said: “The COPS Winter Ball is always a fantastic evening. Everyone attending is here to help and have a good time, and I think that’s what people need right now. It was lovely to see so many nice people enjoying a fabulous evening out.”
Other popular auctions lots included spending the day with police sniffer dogs, a hot air balloon ride, and a tour the stables of the world-renowned Devil’s Horsemen – the horse masters behind TV shows such as Game of Thrones and Peaky Blinders.
As well as the auction guests enjoyed an extravagant prize draw and were greeted at the entrance by the flashing lights of the COPS car, a genuine US police car donated to the charity to help raise funds– a popular backdrop for photos and selfies.
Guests were also able to take in The Beat, the avenue of trees at the arboretum dedicated to fallen officers from each police force in the UK, which was lit blue in a stunning and poignant display.
Sir Peter Fahey, chair of trustees at COPS, spoke at the event and talked about how the charity is always expanding, and new people are joining, new people that COPS can help.
He said: “The heart of what we do is about COPS survivor families and about creating opportunities for those families to come together to meet at all sorts of different events throughout the year, and now a huge series of digital events.”
He also thanked everyone involved for helping make the event possible.
COPS national president and survivor Gill Marshall, wife of PC Alan McMurray from Lothian and Borders Police, gave a moving speech to explain how the charity has supported her and her family over the years.
Gill explained how the initial support from senior officers, chief constables, colleagues and friends dissipated over time and she found herself a single mum, dealing with her own grief and that of her two young girls.
She explained how tough the simple day to day was until she was introduced to COPS.
She said: “You can laugh, cry, scream and remember with COPS and no one will think any the less of you for doing so. My COPS friends are friends for life, the friends who have supported me through the ups and downs of the last 16-years and hopefully I have been the same for them.
“I wouldn’t have these people in my life if it weren’t for COPS. That is at the heart of what COPS does, fundamentally it connects people with people when they need it most.”
Everyone attending the prestigious event came to show their support to COPS, the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to supporting the families of police officers and staff who die on duty.
Kevin McDonald, managing director at Panoptech, said: “I came to the 2020 event and that was great, so it’s brilliant to have the event back for 2022. The COPS Winter Ball is a wonderful event full of wonderful people. I had a great time.”
Darren Marsh, managing director at Document Network Services, said: “We came to the last ball so it’s good to be back supporting the charity and seeing and hearing about the vital work it does. We did miss the event last year so it’s wonderful to be back here now seeing everyone enjoying themselves.”
COPS trustee Rob Atkin MBE said: “I’ve been with COPS since the start and it’s always great to come to events like this. It was sad there was no Winter Ball last year so it’s good to be back. It’s heart-warming to see sponsors and supporters coming together to celebrate the work of COPS. I’m really pleased to be here.”
The COPS Winter Ball 2022 was sponsored by police support service provider Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL).
David Parsons, managing director of police and resourcing services at SSCL, said: “What a great night we all had at the Winter Ball. It was amazing!
“We met some inspiring people and heard about the work the charity does to support family members whose loved ones lost their lives on duty. We are proud to be aligned with such an amazing charity.
“It was a fantastic event in a beautiful setting and I have so many good memories of the evening.”
Mike Beynon, director of resourcing operations at SSCL, added: “It was great to be out and to see so many people enjoying themselves, and supporting COPS. We were very pleased to attend and proud to support the charity and the outstanding work it does for the families of fallen police officers.”
To see more pictures of the event click here