SPBF supports Cops4Ukraine – an update!

Earlier this year SPBF helped our Police Colleagues and their families in war torn Ukraine, by providing a donation towards the invaluable work being undertaken by Cops For Ukraine (Cops4Ukraine).  We recently received and update from them regards the work they have been undertaking and below is a summary of their efforts.   

 

COPS4UKRAINE

 

Earlier this month large quantities of Cops4Ukraine aid successfully reached several Police Stations in the East of Ukraine

The consignments of aid included 100 Individual Trauma First Aid Kits (IFAKS), large boxes of assorted trauma medical supplies, Sanitary Products, Gloves, Socks, Boots, large quantities of winter thermals, winter jackets, winter trousers, ballistic vests, and ballistic helmets. A car and minibus for use by the police officers moving too and from the frontline were also donated.  These consignments have been received by very appreciative officers at four police stations spread across the Sumy, Poltava and Dnipro regions of Ukraine.

We remain in close communication with our contacts in Ukraine and know they are facing a terribly difficult winter, so we were extremely pleased to get these consignments of aid out to our Ukrainian colleagues just in time for the winter conditions that have arrived in the country this week.

As a bonus and thanks to the incredible donation of an entire vehicle. Funds were freed up to allow a minibus and boxes full of children’s toys and clothing to be donated to a Childrens centre in the Dnipro region. The centre run by a church group offers support and education to around 40 children of all ages in the most difficult of circumstances.

We have learned through our close contact with them, that the centre is unfortunately located close to civilian power infrastructure. So regular air raid alarms and the constant threat of a missile strikes is something that has become an horrific part of daily life for the children. So regular are the sound of alarms and explosions, that the centre has lined the inside of their windows with used cardboard egg boxes in an attempt to provide the children with some peace.

The children’s centre had been desperately wanting a minibus for some time but had struggled to raise the required funds. So, it goes without saying that we were only too happy to be able to donate one to them. The bus will allow them to take the children into town, out for day trips and ultimately away from danger if required.

 

Although the war in Ukraine is now not seeing the same media attention is did at the beginning of the invasion.  The horrors faced by the Ukrainian people continue on a daily basis. Earlier in the year a missile hit a residential apartment block not far from the children’s centre. The blast killed 46 people including 6 children, injured 80 and left 400 people homeless. These images were shared with us by one of the workers at the children’s centre and show the scene of the devastation.

Inclusive of the above consignments, Cops for Ukraine have now delivered eight separate loads of aid to Ukrainian Officers. This has only been possible due to the incredible support we have had from our colleagues here at Cheshire Constabulary, Police Federations, members of the public and suppliers! We are particularly appreciative of officers at Chester who took on the Chester Marathon to help raise funds and all those involved in the Cake Sales!

As many of the donations we have received have been physical donations it is difficult to put an exact figure on the value of the aid we have provided so far. However, we do believe it to be well in excess of our original £25,000 target!

It was a mammoth push to get these consignments out in time for the winter months, but we are determined to continue our support for the Ukrainian Police and we are certainly keen to do more to support the Childrens Centre – We already have some ideas of how to do this and we know with your support we will make them a success!

If you are able to help in anyway, donations can be made through our Just Giving page equally if you have an idea for a fundraising event or project to support the initiative, please do get in touch!

justgiving.com/crowdfunding/copsforukraine

BIFF BAFF BOSH for DOSH!

Fancy a night out whilst raising money for a good cause? Then this could be just the event for you!!

Rebecca Strachan is going to don the padded gloves and box to raise funds for the SPBF at the upcoming Premier White Collar Boxing promoted event scheduled for Saturday 8th April, 2023, 4 till 10pm at the OVG Podium in Aberdeen.

Already in training for the event, Rebecca wanted to do something for friends in the Police family who have had a positive influence in her life and helped shape the person she is today. She is currently undergoing a supported intensive training programme together with her friends and trainer to get ‘match fit’ and come Saturday 8th April, she will be shuffling those feet, dancing like a butterfly and stinging like a bee!

So if you like a bit of boxing and a good night out then tickets can be bought at the following link, PWCB Aberdeen Event

Alternatively tickets can be purchased in person at Aberdeen Combat and Fitness Centre.

If you would simply just like to support Rebecca in her quest towards raising funds for our charity then you can donate to her Just giving page via the link here

We look forward to hearing how she gets on and wish her every success, knock em out Rebecca!

MUSICAL CHAIRS! – we have a new one!!

Nothing ever stays the same for long and at the SPBF we are no different. At the recent 2022 AGM, the Trustees said goodbye to our outgoing chair, Cath McNally, who has held the post for around two years now. Cath is finally hanging up her boots as a serving officer and moving on to new adventures. We wish her every happiness and success in her future endeavours and thank her for all her years of service with the charity as a local representative, Trustee and laterally Chair of the Trustees Board. Cath’s knowledge and steady hand will be greatly missed and we take this opportunity to thank her warmly for all her efforts and kindness over the years.

And as one door closes another opens! We would like to introduce and congratulate our newly elected Chair, Lynne Gray. Like Cath, Lynne has been part of the charity for a number of years at both local and Trustee level and we look forward to Lynne taking the tiller and maintaining a steady hand on the good ship SPBF! No pressure Lynne!! (pictured below)

It would also be prudent, to say a slightly belated but nether the less, big thank you to Stephen Clark who likewise until earlier this year was our Secretary until his retirement. Stephen was also a long serving member of the charity and made a massive contribution to its success over many years. He will be fondly remembered for his humour and importantly balanced approach when it came to dealing with charity business. Again Stephen thank you for all your years service and support and we wish you every success and an enjoyable retirement.

A small presentation took place when Stephen left where he was presented with a cake to remind him of how his legacy will live in our memory for years to come! (see below). We also welcome our new Secretary Graham Ross, who was duly elected to the position and having settled into the role quickly, we look forward to working with Graham over the years to come.

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING

Our Secretary Stephen Clark, managed to catch up with our intrepid foot warrior Henry Hughes after his sterling effort on this years Kilt Walk raising funds for the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund. Thanks to his massive efforts, he raised a fantastic £450 for the charity, which will be put to great use supporting our officers and their families. A big thank you to Henry from all at SPBF.

If you would like to walk, run, cycle, knit, bake or do any activity in aid of raising funds for our charity, we would love to hear from you and give you our support. No matter how much or little you raise, it all counts towards supporting our members at time of need as Scotland’s ONLY dedicated Police charity for Police Officers, Support Staff and their families. So why not give it a go!!

SPBF AGM 2021

The Scottish Police Benevolent Fund is pleased to announce that the 2021 Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday 16th August 2021. At this time it is planned that the meeting will take place at The Police Treatment Centre, Castlebrae, Auchterarder. This meeting is scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. All members are invited to attend.

Please note that due to the current COVID 19 outbreak and lockdown restrictions in place, the decision to hold this meeting in person has now been confirmed, but will be conducted under current guidance of social distancing where at all possible to minimise risk to all concerned. Anybody looking to attend the AGM in person as an observer is asked to contact the charity at least 48 hours prior to the AGM being held, to allow us to consider whether this can be accommodated and to provide anyone requesting to attend with a questionnaire which will require to be completed prior to attending. Thank you.

HOOTS MON! GET YER KILT ON!

BIG! Shout out to Harry Hughes, who will be doing a 3 day Kiltwalk in support of SPBF between 23-25 April, walking roughly 12 miles a day! Pls click on the link to support Harry & read more about his fund raising efforts.

We hope to post further updates and pictures as Harry is out and about on his walks during the event so stay tuned!

Help us to help others in need 💗 and make a donation to Harry’s fundraising event. All monies raised are boosted by 50% thanks to Kiltwalk, so go on make a difference to someone’s life in a time of need.

Harry’s Kiltwalk Page

FRONTLINE FESTIVAL SCOTLAND FREE VIRTUAL MUSIC EVENT

SPBF is proud to partner with our good friends Ceangail who are kindly putting together a fantastic FREE virtual music festival in support of #frontlinecharities

The event will see many well know stars and music artists coming together in support of Scottish front line charities including ourselves. Below shows the details of just some of the artists who will be performing and when the event will be taking place.

Please follow us on Twitter at @SPBF to keep up to date on news of this exciting event and how you can enjoy and participate in supporting your Scottish frontline workers.

Whilst the event is free to watch, viewers will be able to donate to the Frontline Festival main Just Giving page shown below, or you can donate directly to the Frontline Festival Scottish Police Benevolent Fund Just Giving page via the link here.

Please give generously and what you can to support your 999 workers and a big shout out and thanks to all the artists, presenters, ambassadors and all the staff at Ceangail for making this happen.

So polish of yer dancing shoes, get the glitterball out the cupboard and get ready to dance the evening away courtesy of THE FRONTLINE FESTIVAL SCOTLAND.

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