Page 11 - WMPF Federation Oct-Nov 2018-flip_Neat

Rich Cooke (centre) preparing for the descent alongside WMP
Federation reps Archie Murphy (left) and Roy Teague (right).
“I had to take a few moments to control and compose myself,
before I could start to descend again.”
Keith remained focussed thanks to the voices he could hear
shouting out his name, giving him words of encouragement.
“Those voices were surprisingly clear and one little but very
powerful voice which stood out was my four-year-old nephew
shouting ‘Come on, Uncle Keith’. Hearing his voice really gave me
the determination that I was going to do it.”
Back on the ground, Keith felt a massive sense of relief and a
huge sense of achievement, particularly since the fund-raisers had
raised more than £10,000 with funds still coming in.
He is already making plans for further fund-raising events,
joking he won’t give the Federation too much notice so they can’t
back out!
Keith has said a huge thanks to West Midlands Police
Federation for its support, the member with a committee who
turned up to steward and also their committee members and
family members who took part.
He has also thanked West Midlands Police Superintendents’
Association, the Holiday Inn Express, Snow Hill, Birmingham and
Redpoint the abseiling company ‘who were fantastic’, COPS and
Sport Birmingham, volunteers from Sport Birmingham who
helped in relation to stewarding, the detention officer from the
Metropolitan Police who provided admin support and attended
on the day, a member of the public from London who is big on
Twitter and supported him behind the scenes, the many family
friends and supporters who made the day a success, Video Track
who made a free publicity video of the day, Dominic Cunningham
(a Brummie born and bred) and Tommy Owens, a boxing promoter
who also attended and brought many supporters.
“Given some of our challenges, this event exceeded my
expectations, thank you everyone. I think we all lived up to the
title # using your challenges to achieve,” Keith added.

One brave fund-raiser makes their way down the
building.
The fund-raisers are briefed.
www.polfed.org/westmids federation October/November 2018 11