Around a year ago, I mused that time definitely flies faster as you get older! It may be a year on, but I am no wiser and suddenly it’s my turn again to compile a blog! For those who don’t know me I am Liam Kelly, the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the PTC and The Police Children’s Charity. 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.
2026 marked another personal landmark year for me as I was humbled to be reappointed by the Board as Chair for a further three-year term.
I have had the privilege of being a trustee since 
March 2015 and have been Chair since May 2018 so I must be doing something right! Over those 11 years it has been a real pleasure to support our wonderful staff, develop our services and bring increased financial stability to ensure the charities can continue to do what they do long into the future. Collaboratively with the Senior Management Team, the Board of Trustees are fully committed and keen to ‘future proof’ both our charities so we pragmatically 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 function.
We have maintained our collaborative work with external stakeholders and have also developed and continue to deliver our own bespoke women’s health programmes, programmes specifically for retired officers and police staff and a programme to assist for preparing for Job Related Fitness Tests. We are always willing to change and freshen things up and we strive to develop and add programmes that will complement and enhance our existing core services.
Policing continues to be both physically and mentally demanding therefore the importance of having access to our facilities and treatment offers, has become as important as ever. Due to being the service of first and last resort (and everything in between), officers and staff continue to work long hours to effectively deal with increased demands. We have regrettably continued to see 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 therefore more important than ever to ensure that the ‘safety blanket’ is there and be comforted in the knowledge that the PTC is available and ready to help when you need them. I therefore would directly appeal to officers and staff colleagues to proactively check that they are donating and encourage their peers who don’t donate, to now sign up.
As we still 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.
We also supplement our income through the provision of bed and breakfast services at both centres to the extended police family. As well as offering access to our conference facilities. So, if you or someone you know is looking for a competitively priced short break or there’s a company who could use our corporate facilities for a meeting, please signpost them to our website. If you are on site, you will see we also sell a selection of merchandise. The PTC went through a rebranding refresh so if you need a quality branded hoodie or T-shirt, etc. they are for sale at the reception areas at both sites.
Fundraising remains 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 our police charities. Fundraising is a necessary and integral part for both charities to continue to be financially sustainable in the long term.
Now for a shameless plug – on Friday 14th August myself and a group of trustees and supporters will be attempting an 8am to 8pm, 12-hour padel session on the recently completed padel court at our St Andrews site in Harrogate. Some of us will also be incorporating a “pedal” element by cycling on exercise bikes courtside whilst waiting to play. Anyone passing the venue wanting to join in will be most welcome. Further details of the challenge and how to donate can be found at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/padelathon-for-ptc
If anyone else wants to do something like this to raise some funds, the Charity Engagement Team would be delighted to provide any assistance and support to you so please get in touch!
In the last few weeks, the Board of Trustees met at Castlebrae. Aside from conducting our quarterly business, they also had the opportunity to spend some time with our wonderful staff at the annual BBQ. The sun was shining for once and a great time was had by all.
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. I leave you with the words of Walt Whitman:
“Keep your face always towards the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.”
Take care and keep safe.
Liam Kelly, Chair of Board of Trustees for PTC and TPCC
