Page 15 - WMPF Federation DEC 2019-flip

Marathon fund-raisers

Supporters’ stories Christine Howard is a sergeant with
Derbyshire Police and has been involved
in Police Sport UK (PSUK) competitions
for the last 27 years taking part in
Superintendent Kim Madill from Walsall several European marathons and
NPU said there was no way she couldn’t triathlons.
get involved when she saw what Trudy However, she has a very personal
With rheumatoid arthritis meaning she
has to take care of her joints, Kristal Gittins was organising. reason for signing up for the Liverpool
Taylor has limited herself to runs of a “Historically, I have been a 10km Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon with the West
maximum of 10k – until she hear about runner, but have covered more like 5km Midlands Police team.
team WMPMND! in the last few years. Loads of people “Four years ago my father, David
“I always said 10km was my limit... have said I should do a half marathon in Howard, was diagnosed with MND and
the thought of running for longer than the past but, if I am honest, I avoided it in that space of time has withered from a
an hour did not interest me at all,” says as I knew it would hurt,” she says. highly active pensioner who built and ran
“However, when I saw what Trudy

his own vintage bullnose Morris cars and
Care on Demand Kristal, a Force HR manager, “But a was doing for Chris there was no way I did long distance mountain walks to
friend of mine was talking about
running for Chris on her hen weekend. could say no. Chris isn’t just a top cop, he being utterly paralysed but with a fully
We’ve all known him a long time and she is an authentic leader and is totally intact mind,” says Christine.
told me that she might not be the inspirational. I personally am grateful to Christine’s daughter, husband and
fastest and she might have to walk a bit the support Chris has given me in the sister have also joined #WMPMND to run
past and I know he has supported many
in Liverpool.
New to the West Midlands Police Care on Demand allows all our Federation members paying into of it but she was determined she would others too - hence there are literally Trudy Gittins says: “#WMPMND are
finish it and I thought you know what?
Federation Group Insurance Scheme the Group Insurance, and eligible dependents to arrange an Me too. I’m genuinely really excited 100s of us in team #WMPMND. thrilled that Christine and also other
“I have never followed a running

officers from Derbyshire Police have come
appointment 24/7 with a GMC licensed GP, whether in the UK or
about being part of something amazing
from 1 October 2019. whilst on holiday. and doing something amazing for and programme before, but I am using BUPA together to fight for this cause and show
st
training plans which are really making a
that we are one big family no matter
with some amazing people.”
For any non-emergency case, whether physical or mental, you difference. I have completed the 10km where you work in policing in the UK and
We are blessed to have access, in the UK, to the NHS. A can discuss your health concerns with a GP, via phone or video programme, now doing the 10 mile and are honoured to also stand beside
then I will start the half marathon in the
service free from cradle to grave, at the point of delivery, it is consultation. Calls can normally be arranged within 2 hours of new year.” Christine and her family in their difficult
journey too.”
the envy of the world. your request. And unlike a GP visit, there is no time limit on the
GP’s are the gate-keepers. Historically, we tend to think of the consultation (video consults up to 30mins) and you can ask more
friendly local family doctor. He or she would be familiar with every than one question.
member of the family and each member’s health. Appointments Furthermore, the Care on Demand GP can arrange for a private Band on the run?
would be easy, they might even pop in from time to time ‘doing referral to be sent to you or a private prescription** to be sent to a
the rounds’, and there would be no time constraints. pharmacy of your choice if you are in the UK. detective inspector is to swap his down well and raised some good funds. Chris has spent a number of months
Sadly, this now sounds like a misty-eyed fantasy. It’s a service that is not designed to replace your own GP but to warrant card for a bass guitar to “In recent years the band members have generating donations from a range of
companies and individuals to enable a
Huge financial pressures, an ageing population, increase in work in conjunction, entirely in line with the Secretary of Health’s A record a charity single – inspired all been occupied with families, children and free prize draw to be linked to his
our careers, so we have taken a step back
by Assistant Chief Constable Chris
obesity (resulting in diabetes, hypertension etc.), mental health strategy of introducing digital solutions to the NHS. So far those Johnson’s approach to his Motor Neurone with playing music. We have barely played campaign and encourage donations.
issues and so on has put an impossible financial and resource who have used the service have been thrilled with it, and a recent Disease (MND) diagnosis. together for four years but we have now all Anyone who donates to the charity song
page will automatically be entered into
agreed to dust off our equipment and get
Chris Jones, who works in public

burden on an already stretched NHS. This is evident in waiting survey revealed a 93% recommendation rate with 89% satisfied protection, had initially signed up along back in the studio to write and record a the draw. There are a wide range of prizes
times not just for in-patient treatment but also GP appointments or very satisfied. A WWPF officer who has used the service since with colleagues to do the Liverpool Rock one-off charity song.” on offer! In no particular order, they
with an average waiting time up to 13 days . inception on the 1 October 2019 stated: ‘n’ Roll Marathon to raise money for the The track will be titled ‘On The Run’ and include sports vouchers, Brooks Sports
st
1
Motor Neurone Disease Association will be recorded at Rockfield Studios, Wales trainers, signed items from Paula
Little wonder that the NHS has previously reported that between “Very useful to have. Great that you offer out of hours, I was (MNDA) and Primrose Hospice which is where Bohemian Rhapsody was recorded, in Radcliffe, Jessica Ennis Hill and Dame
10% and 30% of cases turning up in A&E were ones that were able to speak to someone in the middle of the night, I called supporting Mr Johnson and his family. March 2020. Kelly Holmes, a Land Rover driving
experience, a bungee jump, laser tag
“To up the profile of the fund-raising

But when injury forced him to pull
regularly seen by GPs . at 1am and I was able to speak to the doctor not long after.” out, he set about thinking how else he efforts the group, we are looking to audition sessions, simulated driving sessions,
2
could raise money. for ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, simply to raise archery, go-karting, clay pigeon shooting,
Fortunately, there is a solution. He said: “I was the first to sign up to awareness for the two charities but this is tickets to the Royal Philharmonic
Contact the Federation office for the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon but subject to change at any moment as the Orchestra and a Pro Pulse Roller worth
also the first to pull out due to a bad knee others may change their minds,” Chris over £100. There are also a number of
details or visit our website: and ankle injury requiring an operation. explained. holiday prizes – accommodation only - a
“I’m no good at baking cakes and was The band consists of bass guitarist Chris, week in Orlando, Florida and short breaks
1 www.pulsetoday.co.uk www.polfed.org/westmids drummer Karl Palmer, who works in the in Greece, Malta, Padstow, Scotland and
2 fullfact.org/health thinking of other ways to try to support
this fantastic charity initiative. I’ve been banking industry, singer Matt Allen, who the Yorkshire Dales. At the time of
** Within safe online prescribing guidelines in a band for around 20 years and did a works for Tarmac UK, and guitarist Simon writing, he has more than 34 donated
West Midlands Police Federation is an Appointed Representative of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited. George Burrows In association with charity song 10 years ago which went Lane, a specialist whisky retailer. items.
is a trading name of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct
Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 7th Floor, 55 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland.
Company Number: SC108909. www.ajg.com/uk. GP on Demand is provided by Teladoc Health, Inc. Is a telemedicine company
that uses telephone and video-conferencing technology to provide on-demand remote medical care via mobile devices, the internet,
video and phone. www.teladoc.com. FP886-2019, Exp: 20.08.20 | ARTUK-418407181
www.polfed.org/westmids federation December 2019/January 2020 15