Kent Police make touching tribute to a colleague and donation to Pilgrims
Police officers across the Kent Police force took on Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge on 6 May in tribute to and in memory of their colleague Leigh Harris, who passed away at the age of 37 years from cancer. Police colleagues both serving and retired raised more than £7,825 for Pilgrims.
Officer Dean Quinn presented the cheque to Cate Russell, Pilgrims Chief Executive, at the Ashford hospice. Dean said: “We are so pleased to hand over our donation; friends and colleagues have been very generous in supporting our Kent Blue Solidarity Ride. Leigh was a much-loved officer and sadly taken from us too soon.
Leigh was a much-loved officer and sadly taken from us too soon.
Dean
Since the presentation took place the officers have raised a further £900 and estimate they could reach a fundraising figure as high as £10,000 for Pilgrims. You can still make a donation on the team’s JustGiving page to help Dean and his colleagues achieve their goal.
Retired police offer, Mark Chambers, wrote a poem in memory of Leigh; it was a touching tribute and Pilgrims is pleased to share his special words.
Kent Blue Handlebar Ribbons
Some rode rich bikes all gold carbon fibre
Others rode steel frames worth just a fiver
Some full of aches needed pain-killing pills
Others found it easy; sprinting up hills
Some had done training; strong preparation
Others rode doggedly; sheer desperation
Some rode in lycra geared up for a race
Others in leisure-wear set novice pace
Some powered-on drinking soda and lime
Others used cider to soften each climb
A few sometimes wished they’d just caught the bus,
But rode for a brother – for one of us.
They rode to share in some real solidarity
All rode for the hospice, but we all rode for Leigh.
Kate Duddell, Pilgrims Hospices Fundraising Manger, said: “It was a very poignant meeting with the officers. The poem was a wonderful tribute and the fundraising cheque will make an enormous contribution to the number of people we can support on our wards and within the community.”
It was a very poignant meeting with the officers. The poem was a wonderful tribute.
Kate Duddell, Pilgrims Hospices Fundraising Manager