South Wales Police Federation is urging members to throw their support behind all officers, family members and friends taking part in this year’s Light the Lakes charity fell walk.

The annual event, which sees walkers climb a Lake District peak and light a flare in memory of a fallen colleague, raises money for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity and is now in its 11th year.

Branch chair Steve Treharne said: “The police family never forgets its fallen and this event is a striking and poignant way of keeping their memories alive.

“Everyone at South Wales Police Federation gives their backing to all participants and wishes them the very best of luck for the event.”

The first Light the Lakes walk was held in April 2012 when 594 police officers, family and friends took part in the walk to raise money to support the orphaned children of murdered Surrey detective constable Heather Cooper. 

Since then it has become an established event in the policing calendar with participants raising money to help COPS provide support to hundreds of police families devastated by the loss of a loved one who died on duty.

This year’s event gets underway on Friday 23 June and the lighting of the peaks will take place between 2.30am and 3am on Saturday 24 June.

Members can get more information or and make a donation via the Light the Lakes website.