Tag: SPBF

No SPBF No Party!

Meetings

Well not quite, but it is that time of year again and without our AGM we wouldn’t be able to continue the great work we do supporting our members and families at times of need.

So…..The Scottish Police Benevolent Fund is pleased to announce that the 2026 Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday 24th August 2026. 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 (Traffic cones optional).

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WELL WELL WELL!

Presentation

(Picture: Lyn and Ricky at the Scottish Police College Wellbeing Day 23rd June 2026)

 

PSOS WELLBEING EVENTS

Over the last few months Lyn and Ricky, Trustees for the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund, have been out and about at numerous Wellbeing and other events, engaging with officers, and staff, explaining how the SPBF can support and help officers in times of hardship and need.

They have also been double hatting and flying the flag for the Scottish Police Federation answering various questions and giving guidance and support.

If you are attending an upcoming event and see either of our intrepid duo, or that stands, please feel free to come over and say hello.  We promises they don’t bite (much) and who knows you may even get a wee freebie or two.

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HOWDY PARTNERS!

Donation
RIDING OF INTO THE SUNSET
The SPBF would just like to say a big thankyou to the PSOS Equestrian section. They have been giddying up and supporting the charity this year and have raised nearly £1900 pounds so far.   
(Pictured: Eilidh Black, Ricky Wood and members of the equestrian section at the wellbeing camp.)
Their support started in July of last year when they hosted the Blue Light’s Horse Show and Police Sport UK Championships. Proceeds from the awards dinner went to support SPBF and two other important charities, the Nicol Hughs Memorial Fund and Hero Paws.
They recently held a wellbeing camp at Lindores Equestrian Centre near Cupar where they held a race night and raffle. Our very own Wild Bill Hickock, otherwise known as Secretary, Ricky Wood, saddled up and managed to catch up with Eilidh Black, Chair of the Equestrian section and other members of the team at the camp. He was kindly presented with a cheque for £1881.90, the funds raised so far.  Yeeeha!
Since this event, at the end of May, they have raised an additional £312 at the SPRA Family Day where they had a kids hobby horse course and raffle. That’s neigh bad eh!  (Ok, we will lay of the bad horsey jokes now!)
We wish them all the best as they get ready for and organise the SPRA Hooves & Heroes Championships this coming August.
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CALLING INTERNATIONAL RESCUE!

Fundraising

Ok well maybe we are over egging the pudding a bit!!  But we wanted to update you with regards to our own little hero Anthony (and his Mum!) who were to be completing their last climb as part of their massive fundraising effort on behalf of the SPBF.

As you will know Anthony was to be climbing the might Ben Nevis having already completed a number of smaller hikes in preparation.   Anthony with his loyal Sherpa (otherwise known as mum), had finally got a break in the weather and were finally set to conquer that last peak and stake their flag at the top.   However, we are sad to report that just to prove this task is no easy feat for anyone never mind our own mighty mouse, Anthony.  They had to abandon their attempt due to an unfortunate accident, whereby Anthony’s mum lost her footing on some loose ground causing her to fall and injure her back, leaving her with a slipped disc and a sprained ankle for her trouble!  Anthony who also fell, thankfully only suffered minor cuts and grazes, but was otherwise okay.

As a result, they had to abandon their attempt having got about halfway up, and very tenderly and slowly had to make their way back down to base.

Clearly they are disappointed and frustrated to have got so close, but obviously safety always comes first and so the climb on this occasion for now has had to be postponed. 

Thankfully we are happy to report that Anthony has already forgotten about the incident and back up running around on full steam.  Mum is making good progress we understand and all at SPBF send our thoughts and wishes to them.

Once they have had time to digest all that has happened to them, a decision will be made on what and how they can complete the task, or if an alternative is possible. Either way, they should be so proud of everything they have achieved so far and the money which has been raised to date and we shall of course keep you posted !

Here’s a photo of Anthony starting his hike of Ben Nevis, before Thunderbird 2 came to the rescue!!    The fund raising link (click here) remains open so please if you haven’t already donated, surely a slipped disc, sprained ankle and hurt pride deserves at least a pound in your pocket …….! 

 

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Aint No Mountain High Enough…..

Fundraising

Our intrepid little fundraising warrior, Anthony Green is at it once again folks!  He’s maybe small in stature but he’s a giant when it comes to fundraising!!

This time he’s set to reach new heights in his quest to fund raise for our charity (literally!)

We are honoured that Anthony and his family have chosen us again to raise funds for and we would ask you all get behind him, not to mention his big sister and mum in completing his new adventure.  See full below for full details and please give generously.

Simply scan the QR code with your phone camera or alternatively click here to go to Anthony’s Just Giving Page to make a donation.

 

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OLDIES BUT GOLDIES !

Donation

On the 3rd and 4th April, 2025 at the Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld, the Retired Police Officers Association (RPOAS) held their 78th Annual conference.

Whilst maybe retired, these men and women are certainly not sitting about doing nothing and regularly meet and get involved to look after the interests of retired Police officers and their families.  They also do a lot behind the scenes supporting and promoting the various Police Charities for which we are very grateful.

During the meal at the conference, the members held a raffle to raise funds to donate to their chosen charities.  On this occasion, the members chose to donate the funds equally between ourselves and COPS (Care of Police Survivors).  Over £700 was raised which is a fantastic amount and the SPBF subsequently received a donation of £385 from the RPOAS.

We would like to that the opportunity to thank all the members of RPOAS for their kind donation, especially those at the conference who made it possible.  This money will be put to good use supporting our Officers and Support Staff, past and present who are or were members of the SPBF.   Thank you!

The SPBF were in attendance at the conference with our intrepid duo, Ricky Wood (Secretary) & John Turley (Eastern Area Trustee) acting on our behalf.  Any similarities and suggestions that they were mistaken for Jack & Victor are entirely without foundation……;)  But as ever they were there with a smile and goodies to give out and a good time was had by all.   If you are at an event or conference and see our stall, then please come over and say hello!   They don’t bite we promise!! and you may get some nice goodies to take away with you.

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COP THIS!

Fundraising

The SPBF was delighted to be able to encourage and support Adam Peppard, one of our Scottish Police Federation (SPF) colleagues, and give support to one of our fellow police charities Care of Police Survivors (COPS).  Adam is taking part in the COPS Police Unity Tour which is a two-day cycling event in August that raises awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and raises funds to support their families.

A truly worthy cause we are sure you will agree.

Image: Ricky Wood (Secretary), Lynne Gray (Chair) with Christine Fulton of COPS and Adam Peppard of the SPF. 

 

The SPBF managed to catch up with COPS at the recent SPF conference and present them with a cheque for £2,000 to support this essential cause.  We look forward to hearing how Adam got on and we wish him every success in his fund raising efforts.

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THERE’S BEEN A MURDER!!…. WELL OK, A DONATION!

Fundraising

In our best Taggart voice, it’s maybe a tad dramatic but hey we wanted your attention to tell you that on the 7th February 2025, the Scottish Senior Investigating Officers Conference was held at Dunblane Hydro.

This was the first Senior Investigative Officers conference in a number of years, and was held on the 6th and 7th February.

The two-day conference brought together 200 delegates from across the SIO network, including key representation from our law enforcement partners throughout the UK. The conference saw a number of inputs from Police Scotland SIOs, and sponsors.

During the evening reception a charity raffle was held and the decision was made that the proceeds of which were to be kindly donated to the SPBF.

Our Chair, Ricky Wood, attended the event on behalf of the Charity to receive the cheque and this was presented by another fantastic fund raiser for the Charity and Police Scotland’s youngest Deputy Chief Constable, Anthony Green. The most senior in rank at the event in fact!! (technically ….).

Many of you will know DDC Green as our intrepid fund raiser from last year who toured almost every Police Station in Scotland raising funds on behalf of our Charity. DCC Green may be small in stature but he packs a punch when it comes to getting people to dig deep into their pockets to raise money for a good cause! As always he was accompanied by his trusted and loyal personal bodyguard, William the Enforcer (otherwise known as dad 😉)

Our picture shows the cheque for £1,240 being presented to our Chair by DCC Green in his High Vis jacket, along with ACC Steve Johnson, Major Crime, Public Protection & Local Crime; and DCS Paul Livingstone, Head of Major Crime.

DDC Green was also presented with a certificate of achievement on behalf of the SSIO Management acknowledging his outstanding work in supporting the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund.

Detective Sgt Judith Northin one of the conference organisation team stated-
“We appreciate the efforts of the SPBF who work tirelessly to provide assistance and support to Police Scotland officers, their families, and communities; and we hope that this contribution can go a little way towards helping this continue.”

On behalf of all at SPBF, we would like to thank DDC Green and all the officers and sponsors who attended the SSIO Conference and raised funds on our behalf.

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IT’S A WRAP!

Donation, Meetings

Another year is coming to a close, but not before Santa came bearing an early Christmas present for the charity!!

The Trustees met at Castlebrae for the Annual General Meeting in November as planned where the charities accountants were able to report a clean bill of health again for the charity in regards to its financial responsibilities and status in respect of OSCAR compliance.  The governing body that regulates charities in Scotland.

(Our Trustees in attendance at AGM)

We also were delighted to welcome Matt Hamilton, Secretary of the Retired Police Officers Association Scotland, Tayside Branch.

Matt attended to listen to the AGM report, but also kindly came to present a cheque on behalf of the members of the Tayside Branch of the RPOAS, who donated £2,000 to the SPBF.  This was very unexpected but much appreciated donation and the Trustees would like to thank Matt and the members of the Tayside Branch for their kindness.  We shall certainly put it to good use, and of course the charity continues to support our retired members and their families in times of need.  Thanks again Matt and all at Tayside.

Matt (without the Santa suit!) presenting the cheque to our Chair, Lynne Gray

If you would like to make a donation to the SPBF then simply click on the donate link in the menu and follow the easy to use instructions.  It really is as easy as that, and rest assured your donation will make a difference to our officers and support staff, who work to keep everyone safe 24/7, but sometimes need someone looking out for them too.  It is only through such kind donations SPBF can continue to make that happen.

On behalf of all the SPBF Trustees, our staff and of course our local volunteers in the three areas without whom we couldn’t operate, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

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KIND DONATION IN MEMORY OF MARION

Fundraising

Donation from the family of Marion Wheeler

Following the sad passing of Marion who was a cleaner for many years at Elgin Police Office, the family kindly chose the SPBF to be one of the benefactors from the collection at her funeral.  Her family told us that Marion loved working at the Elgin Office and is pictured here in the middle, holding her retirement card from the officers and staff.

Following her passing, Marion’s daughter was contacted by a former workmate who let her know that Marion was loved by everyone at the office and would be greatly missed.  She said, “Marion wasn’t just our cleaner she was a surrogate granny and marvellous baker too”.

We all at SPBF, would like to pass on our condolences to Marion’s family and thank them for their kind donation.  It is clear that Marion was very much seen as part of the Police family in Elgin and will be missed by all of her former colleagues.

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