Riding for those who died in the line of duty

This weekend, six of our colleagues took on a mammoth 180-mile cycle ride in honour of police officers, staff and colleagues who have died in the line of duty.  

The Police Unity Tour, now in its 13th year, saw hundreds of cyclists from police forces all over the country ride in memory of a fallen colleague and converge at the UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. 

Each cyclist wore a wristband engraved with the name of their chosen officer and the ride culminated at the Care of Police Survivors Annual National Service of Remembrance, attended by the families and loved ones of fallen police personnel and Chief Constables from across the country. 

Our North Yorkshire Police team rode alongside colleagues from Durham, Northumbria, Humberside and Cleveland Police, as part of the Northeast Chapter. 

The journey began early on Friday morning at Fulford Police Station in York, with the team completing the first 87.2 mile leg to Worksop.  

Day two saw the team continue from Worksop to Tamworth, covering around 81.2 miles over the course of Saturday.  

The final 11-mile ceremonial ride led into the Arboretum, where the Northeast Chapter joined riders from across the country for a moving procession of 530 cyclists. Each colleague laid a rose at their represented force tree, which is part of “The Beat” at the Arboretum.  

The poignant and challenging cycle ride raises money to support of Care of Police Survivors (COPS) which provides peer support opportunities and access to counselling services to help surviving family members rebuild their lives after unimaginable loss.  

Since its foundation in 2003, COPS has helped hundreds of police families devastated by the loss of a loved one who died on duty. 

Representing North Yorkshire Police this year was: 

• Deputy Chief Constable Scott Bissett who rode for Police Constable Glenn Robinson who sadly died in a road accident when returning home from duty at Skipton on 27 July 2005, 27 July. His motorcycle was in a collision with a car on the A59. 
• Assistant Chief Officer Lisa Stitt who rode for PC Rosie Prior who sadly died while on duty on Saturday 11 January 2025 in a road traffic collision. 
• PC Joshua Snaith who rode for PC David Haigh who was fatally shot by a man at Norwood Plantation Edge near Harrogate on 17 June 1982. In 2023, a memorial stone was unveiled at that location to honour him. 
• Police Staff Investigator Doug Stanway who rode for PC Nina Mackay, a Metropolitan Police officer who was fatally stabbed on 24 October 1997 and whom he served with.   
• Digital Forensics Technical Manager Lee Chapman who rode for PC Richard Ellerker who was on patrol in York when he arrested a drunk and violent man on 26 December 1993. Sustaining injuries, a short while later he collapsed and died of a heart attack. 
• Fleet Manager David Higo who rode for PC Andrew Bramma who received fatal injuries on 5 January 2013 and died aged 32 years old. PC Bramma was answering an emergency call when his patrol van left the road and struck a tree in West Tanfield, near Ripon. 

They were supported by DC Marie Williams who wore a wristband for PC Ingram who was attending an emergency call to an incident in Scarborough in the early hours of the morning of 27 August 1993. His patrol car left the road, and he was fatally injured.  

And Chief Inspector Dave Anderson who wore a wristband for Sgt David Winter. On 28th June 1982, Sgt Winter was hunting the killer of PC Haigh and others, when he confronted the armed suspect at Malton. Sgt Winter was fatally shot. A memorial stone was unveiled in 2023 at the location, to pay tribute to him. 

As well as the wristband carried by our own team, wristbands for three other fallen North Yorkshire Police officers were worn by riders from fellow forces.  

This was far more than a physical challenge; it was a tribute to those who gave everything in the line of duty. All training and participation took place during officers’ personal rest days. 

If you would like to help us reach our fundraising goal, it’s not too late to donate and details are below. 

Every donation, no matter the size, helps support survivors and ensures the memory of our fallen colleagues lives on. 

Our team proudly took on this incredible ride to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and it’s not too late to support if you would like to. Every donation, big or small, helps make a difference. Find out more here: 👉 Click here to support team NYP