COPS Patron Penny Lancaster with Chair of Trustees Sir Peter Fahy QPM and National President Gill Marshall
An evening of glitz and glamour, hosted by television personality and special constable Penny Lancaster, has raised more than £48,000 for Care of Police Survivors (COPS) which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The prestigious Winter Ball raises money for COPS, the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to supporting the families of police officers and staff who die on duty.
More than 250 people attended the Saturday 4 February “sold out” black-tie event at the National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas, with headline sponsorship provided by police support service provider SSCL. As well as a lavish drinks reception, a three-course dinner and live entertainment from the Fabulators, Penny’s husband, music legend Sir Rod Stewart, surprised guests by joining her on the evening.
Penny was introduced to the charity after she took part in a reality TV show about policing. Officers on the show told her they do the job because they know they make a difference, even though they could put their lives at risk every day. “COPS is close to my heart and I am proud and honoured to represent the charity, the work it does and it’s 20-year legacy”.
“As everyone knows, officers couldn’t do their job without the support of family and the evening is about the survivors of officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.”
In an emotional speech Penny spoke of her growing passion of policing, her training and joining the ranks of the City of London Police as a special constable during lockdown.
Prior to the auction Penny handed over the proceeds of an interview she had done following her passing out parade – the police equivalent of a graduation ceremony. The cheque for £8,750 was then matched by her husband who said he was immensely proud of his wife, “She’s the best, Penny’s taken policing to heart and it means so much to her, even though I do become a little worried if she was late home from her duty – particularly in the early hours of the morning, because she has had to fill out paperwork, otherwise I am right behind her!”
As well as a 5 star stay at The Berkeley in London, fourball golf at the Royal Birkdale, an original painting by wildlife artist Robbie Graham and an original portrait commission from internationally acclaimed artist David Newens, the auction included a number of money can’t buy items such as a once in a lifetime tour of the West Yorkshire Police Carr Gate Operations Centre including a behind the scenes look at riot training and police inceptor cars; an extremely popular lot to spend the day with the police horses and dogs – both donated by Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL and West Yorkshire Police and the most popular lot of the evening a tour of Scotland Yard’s notorious Crime Museum donated by COPS Trustee, Chief Superintendent Rob Atkin MBE and AC Matt Jukes of the Metropolitan Police.
Guests also took part in a Golden ticket draw with prizes donated from businesses across the country.
The flashing lights of the COPS car, a genuine US police car donated to the charity to help raise funds, was a popular backdrop for photographs, not only for guests but also Staffordshire Police Cadets who volunteered to support the event.
Welcoming guests to the event Sir Peter Fahy, chair of COPS said: “As we celebrate tonight there are officers, up and down the country, doing their duty and putting themselves on the front line often at risk. We obviously hope they all return home safely, but should the worst happen, COPS is here to support the families of officers who die on duty – not just in the immediate aftermath but for many years ahead”.
COPS national president, Gill Marshall, talked of her own involvement with COPS following the death of her husband Alan McMurray 17 years ago to the day. Alan was a serving officer with Lothian and Borders Police, where he worked within the Roads Policing Unit, a job he absolutely loved. Gill explained that the force was brilliant but they obviously couldn’t be there every day and that’s where COPS came in.
“I was introduced to COPS, a group of people who knew exactly what I was feeling and who had all been through a similar tragedy.
“COPS provides a judgement free, safe space to share your thoughts and feelings, a space where all of a sudden you are not the odd one out, and a space where everyone gets it! It provides a space for bereaved children to share in their experiences with other children who understand the enormity of the loss, it provides a space for parents and spouses and siblings to share and remember with pride.
“It did seem a bit strange to become part of an organisation whose membership is largely made up of people who wish they had no reason to be involved, the club that no one wants to be a member of.
“But what COPS achieves is meaningful peer support, by creating the opportunities and events to bring people together, it lays the groundwork for relationships to be built, friendships to be formed and grief to be shared.
“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 17-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”.
During Dinner 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 poignantly lit blue for the event.
Speaking after the event, SSCL Police & Resourcing Services Managing Director David Parsons said: “What a wonderful evening we all had at the COPS Winter Ball.
“We are so proud that our sponsorship is enabling the charity to host this glittering event which, as well as being a social highlight of the year, performs such an important fund-raising function.
“Once again, I attended along with colleagues and we enjoyed meeting so many police officers and colleagues from forces around the UK and hearing more about how family members who’ve lost a loved one are supported by COPS”.
Guests interested in attending the 2024 Winter Ball which is due to be held on 3 February 2024, should email fundraising@ukcops.org.
