COPS survivors on lifelong friendship and trek to Morocco

15 August 2002 and 9 January 2003 are significant, unforgettable dates for the families of PC Bryan Moore, PC Andrew Munn, and PC Ged Walker.

Leicestershire Police officers PC Munn and PC Moore died in 2002 after their police vehicle was deliberately rammed by a drunk driver.

PC Walker, from Nottinghamshire Police, died in 2003 after being dragged by a vehicle while making an arrest.

The families of those fallen officers met for the first time at the very first COPS Survivor Weekend, held later in 2003.

Since then, the aim of offering vital peer-support has remained the same but COPS has grown and so too has the number of survivors the charity supports.

But for those first few families the memories of those early meetings and events will stay with them forever.

Now, almost 20 years later the children of those families want to mark the occasion and give something back to the charity they say was crucial in forging their life-long friendships.

A seven-strong group will be hiking to Toubkal, a mountain peak in southwestern Morocco, organised by mountaineering company Aspire2Summit.

Vicky Moore, daughter of PC Bryan Moore, said she was offered the chance to do it and jumped at it – roping in her brothers and fellow COPS survivors.

“I’m massively looking forward to it, it’s a real once in a lifetime opportunity and it’s something that I’ve never done,” she said.

Vicky will be doing it with her partner Sam, and her brothers Jonathon and Christopher, and Christopher’s partner Sophie.

They will be joined by Rebecca and Matthew Walker, the children of PC Ged walker.

Vicky said: “Our families were some one of the very first to join COPS. We were lucky to have that initial support, right when we needed it.”

The group will be going out 10 June and doing the climb from 13 to 16 June walking consecutively, covering approximately 26km in warm temperatures and at altitude.

“For me it will be a big challenge,” admitted Vicky.

“We’ve all been doing a bit of hill climbing and some of the group are going to the gym.

“I think the biggest worry is altitude sickness, which can include headaches, nausea, and lack of appetite.

“Also, the closer you get to the peak the path disappears so for the very last part you have to scramble and just find a way.”

Dan Andrew, from Aspire2Summit, said: “The trek is definitely not easy. However, the sense of achievement once you reach the top is absolutely amazing.

“I think it also promotes great teamwork – without us asking, people look out for each other and support each other – something I know COPS personifies.”

As if the hike wasn’t enough, the group of survivors will also be taking part in the Police Unity Tour in August, which culminates at an annual service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum as part of COPS Survivor Weekend.

Vicky said: “This is an opportunity to remember our loved ones while raising money and awareness of COPS, and what a vital job the charity does.

“COPS has done so much for our families and for us – it’s the foundation of our friendship.”

For more information or to donate to the group, go to http://www.justgiving.com/kidsofCOPs22