Long time supporter and survivor of COPS
Claire Duncan’s husband PC Andrew Duncan died on duty in 2013 and the tragedy led her to be supported by Care of Police Survivors. Having been supported by COPS for 10 years, Claire undoubtedly wanted to give back to the charity; The Police Unity Tour was the answer! Claire said:
“I’ve been part of the Police Unity Tour Support Team for several years. Seeing the ride first-hand along the route is quite magical. The officers ride in all weathers and up, down and through many hills. I am in awe of the incredible challenge each rider puts their body through, as they push on throughout the tour.
“In previous years, I’ve volunteered by packing vans, giving out teas and coffees along the route, and being present at the station stops to help refuel the cyclists taking part. I’m there with snacks and lots of other friendly volunteers to offer support.
“I’m increasingly grateful to the riders for raising funds for COPS. As a survivor, I benefit from the peer support services that COPS offers. It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since Andrew died in 2013. He’s missed so much. Our son Adam is now 27, and our daughter Emma is 25. I’m so proud of them and what they have achieved. Emma has recently run a half marathon for an orphan fund charity. Emma now has the running bug and is doing a marathon in New York, America.
“I attended my first COPS event in 2014, a spouse’s weekend in Bath. I remember it was hard walking through the door, but you don’t have to talk, and you know everyone is in the same position. I’ve made lifelong friends at Care of Police Survivors.”
Claire has made friends for life by coming together for meet-ups outside the Care of Police Survivors-arranged events. She’s now looking forward to making even more friends on the Police Unity Tour and has signed up to the pre-tour training dates that Simon Watters. We wish her well and can’t thank her enough for supporting Care of Police Survivors.
Huge thanks to Claire for taking the time to share her journey with Care of Police Survivors.
Photos to your right show Claire Duncan and the some of the Police Unity Tours volunteering in 2023.
Get involved and support PUT
The Police Unity Tour is an incredible feat of fundraising for Care of Police Survivors. Organised and facilitated by the police chapters across the country, the charity is immensely grateful for the donations and awareness that the event brings to COPS.
Each rider on the tour is given a band, which the COPS team hand-inscribes with the name of a fallen officer. To ride in memory of an officer that has died on duty is a humbling experience and we thank each rider for the challenge they undertake by taking part.
Learn more here: https://ukpoliceunitytour.org/about/
The photo to the left shows Sir Peter Martin Fahy QPM who is a retired senior British police officer and Chair of Trustees for Care of Police Survivors charity.