A THAMES Valley Police officer who usually patrols Berkshire on a motorbike is swapping his leathers for Lycra this weekend.
Sergeant James Atkinson is changing gear to raise money for police benevolent charity Care of Police Survivors, or COPS, as he joins the Unity Tour, a nationwide sponsored cycle.
James runs the special escort group, part of the roads policing unit based at Three Mile Cross.
His section provides a motorbike escort for members of the royal family and government ministers who are visiting Berkshire.
“I have been a safety escort for riders taking part as they cycle through Wokingham Borough for the past four years, but this year I decided to take part instead,” James says.
Now in its tenth year, the event sees cyclists from police forces nationwide ride to the National Memorial Arboretum in Litchfield, Staffordshire.
Their arrival is planned to coincide with a memorial service for fallen officers being held at the arboretum on Sunday.
James joined the “police family” in 1997 and has served in Wokingham Borough and across Berkshire ever since. And taking part in the ride as a cyclist this year has added significance for James.
“I have chosen to ride in memory of PC Gareth Browning,” he explains.
“Gareth died in 2017, following injuries he sustained while on duty in 2013.
“He was a colleague, and I was an escort at his funeral.
“PC Andy Parker who was killed in 2019 was also in roads policing; I am riding for him too.”
James is joining forces with 28 serving officers of all ranks as well as support staff from across TVP and Hampshire Constabulary.
The riders will set off from Netley near Southampton today (Thursday).
The team will be supported by police escort riders as they cycle the 163 miles to Litchfield.
The charity supports the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives while on duty. To date, it has raised more than £1,000,000.
For more information, visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/James-Atkinson24
