Time definitely flies faster as you get older! Suddenly it’s my turn again to compile a blog! For those who don’t know me I am Liam Kelly, the proud Chair of the Board of Trustees for the PTC and The Police Children’s charities. It is always a pleasure to be able to provide an update on the charities’ goings on’ and ‘future plans’, so sit back, relax and afford me a few minutes of your time.

Since my last musings, we have continued to provide the full range of our services to our patients. The Board of Trustees are committed and keen to ‘future proof’ both our charities so we collectively continue to work to seek new supporters and revenue streams, promote the ongoing need for new donors, re-evaluate what we can or could provide and exercise proper due diligence to ensure we are becoming more effective and efficient in how we do what we do. We have maintained our collaborative work with Police Care UK charity and have also  developed our own bespoke women’s health programmes, a psychological programme for retired officers and a programme to assist for preparing for job related fitness tests. We are always seeking to change things up and develop and add programmes that will complement and enhance our existing core services.

In the last few weeks, the importance of having access to our facilities and treatment offers for serving officers, has become more obvious. As a result of having to work long hours to effectively deal with public disorder, we have regrettably seen large numbers of police officers being violently attacked and suffering from both physical injuries and mental fatigue. This strikes at the heart of being in the police – you just never know what can happen next and when you may need additional medical support and assistance. It is more important than ever to ensure that the ‘safety blanket’ is there and be comforted in the knowledge that the PTC is available to help out when you need them. I therefore would directly appeal to officers to proactively check that they are donating and encourage their colleagues who don’t donate to now sign up.

As we remain in a cost-of-living crisis, both our charities continue to need help. They need more  supporters and ambassadors to raise awareness and promote what we provide, to share the positive news and encourage as many as possible to donate so that both charities can continue to evolve and grow and provide the ongoing  assistance and fantastic support that’s needed both now and in the future.

Fundraising is a great way to promote the charities and provide a much-needed source of income. We are fully aware that the charity fundraising sector is an inflated, competitive market but I would directly appeal for serving and retired officers to engage with and specifically support police charities.  As always, if  of you are looking to jump out of a plane, wrestle a bear, run a marathon (or several!) or do any sort of challenge, please keep both the PTC and The Police Children’s charities in mind as beneficiaries from any fundraising. Fundraising is an integral part for both charities to continue to be sustainable in the long term. The Donor Recruitment and Charity Engagement team at Harrogate would be delighted to provide any assistance and support to you if you do decide to fundraise, so please get in touch!

It’s now time for me to finish this blog. I hope you can see that both charities remain relevant and are making a positive impact within the police family. I urge you to keep promoting and supporting us so we can keep doing what we do. We have had many successes to be proud of over the years but you can be sure the Board of Trustees are not resting on our collective laurels. We will continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of our donors and although we don’t always get everything right, we take inspiration from the view of Vince Lombardi “Perfection is not attainable but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence”.  

Take care and keep safe.

Liam Kelly

Chair, Board of Trustees for PTC and TPCC charities.