The Cambridgeshire chapter of the annual Police Unity Tour (PUT) are gearing up for the challenge of another weekend-long bike ride in memory of fallen colleagues in the police.
Now in its 14th edition, the PUT will this year be held in the UK from Friday 7 August to Sunday 9 August, bringing together participants from around the country as they cycle for a common cause.
The event sees money and awareness raised for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity which closely supports the families left behind by officers who have died in the line of duty.
Survivors themselves can take part in the PUT, alongside both serving and retired police officers and staff.
Chapter lead Caroline Scully confirmed a full mixture of these participants will represent Cambridgeshire this year, with a total of 12 riders – plus a support crew of two – set for a weekend on the road.
The team will be following their usual route from Force headquarters in Huntingdon to the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire, with some familiar stops along the way.
“As is tradition, we will meet up with a group of survivors on the Saturday and attend the Arboretum on the Sunday for the COPS memorial service to round everything off,” Caroline said.
“I’m sure both occasions will be as emotional and as touching as always.
“Our route is tried and tested and largely stays the same year to year, but we always make a few small amendments based on whoever has kindly offered to support us with a bite to eat and a rest break.
“We are a small chapter, but we are very tight-knit and consistent in what we do – which is shown by the fact we have 11 returning riders – and we ride with pride to keep the memories of our late colleagues alive.
“In what will be my eighth time leading the chapter, this is what keeps me coming back. To see the impact the PUT has on survivors is always amazing, because it serves as proof to them that their loved one hasn’t been forgotten by their peers in the profession.”
Among the fallen Cambridgeshire Constabulary personnel set to be honoured on the PUT are PC Andreas Newbury, DC Ben Devonshire, PC Alan Lee, DC Sharon Garrett and DC Karen Paterson.
Hertfordshire Constabulary’s late PC Bruce Lister – whose family has grown close with the Cambridgeshire chapter – will also be remembered as daughter Megan Lister, partner Janine Doughty and stepdaughter Jess Doughty make up the three survivors taking part in 2026.
Elsewhere among riders, former Force chief constable Nick Dean and the serving Chief Superintendent Becky Tipping will both be involved.
As the chapter’s most senior active officer, Becky told the Federation of her pride in cycling for such an important purpose.
“This will be my third consecutive Unity Tour, and I am very much looking forward to joining up with the chapter once again. The camaraderie and support we have for each other is just fantastic and is what keeps us all moving forward, even in the difficult moments,” she said.
“For me, there is no better show of teamwork than that, which encapsulates what policing is all about and acts as our USP as a chapter.
“Equal to the people involved is the mission itself. There is always some sadness to the Sunday memorial service, but a lot of inspiration to be taken too.
“Our police survivors are so strong, but it is vital that they continue to receive long-term support. When someone loses a loved one, you never know what their remaining family network looks like and what sort of void has been left behind, and that’s where COPS comes in – to help take care of the gaps that would’ve normally been filled.
“I will be riding for Karen Paterson, who I feel connected to particularly as a fellow detective, and it will be an absolute privilege to do so.”
Meanwhile, returning support crew member Amanda Large gave an insight into what the PUT is like from a different perspective.
“There’s no way I was going to cycle, but I’d wanted to get involved with the event for a while, so supporting the riders on the road made perfect sense for me,” said Amanda, who is a Force staff member.
“My role is to drive the chapter’s minibus along as they progress in their journey, and this vehicle is full of supplies, equipment and personal belongings. I then drive a very tired group of riders back on the return leg.
“In the past, I’ve had to deal with all sorts, including a rider’s pedal falling off and never to be seen again. A lot of our route is winding country roads, so I will often go ahead of the riders to pre-empt any issues they might have and be ready if a rest break is needed.
“At the end of the weekend, the service and the speeches are so moving and really make you feel like you’ve done your bit for such an incredible initiative.
“Our team is amazing and is always such a pleasure to share a few days with every year. It’s a consistent date for my diary, and I know I will do this for as long as I possibly can.”
You can support the Cambridgeshire chapter of the 2026 Police Unity Tour by visiting their JustGiving page.