Page 22 - WMPF Federation Dec-Jan 2021_Neat

West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund

Message from our chair

ur police charity has had an Full details will be shared with members in The day’s act of remembrance provided an
incredible year. We have welcomed our newsletter. opportunity for us to reflect upon the
Omore than 700 new members to the Don’t forget that our holiday home ballot Benevolent Fund’s heritage and our special
West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund during will be open from early January. If you fancy a connection with the names permanently
2021, nudging our total membership towards wonderful week away in one of our seaside featured on the dedicated memorial board.
8,000 which is a tremendous achievement. properties please enter the ballot. Any PC Michael Hewitt, who was tragically
This year, the fund saw a shift in the remaining weeks not taken in the ballot will killed on his way to work, is one of the officers
make-up of its membership. For the first time named on the Roll of Honour and we had the
in a long while, the charity has a greater privilege of meeting his widow, Patricia
proportion of serving officers than retired Bayliss, and his daughter, Lesley.
members. What is also encouraging is that Read more about their incredible
word is getting around that West Midlands personal story.
Police staff and PCSOs are entitled to join the Both Lesley and her 80-year-old-Mum are
fund too. immensely grateful for the help they received
Events like the TWM-Live, pre-retirement from the Ben Fund all those years ago.
seminars and inputs to the new recruits and “For me personally, I wanted to be able to
transferees provide a great opportunity to say thank you for everything the Benevolent
really engage with police colleagues. It allows Fund did for us as I know without their help
us to explain the many benefits of joining the and support our lives would have been so very
Ben Fund and how it can offer help through a different. I cannot stress the importance of all
person’s police service and well into their the help the Benevolent Fund can offer and I
retirement too. Don’t forget you can remind would urge everyone to join,“ said Lesley.
yourself of the many membership benefits by I’m incredibly proud of the fact that, over
visiting www.wmpben.co.uk. 47 years, the Benevolent Fund has remained
Face-to-face events are slowly returning steadfast in providing support to its
across the Force and we look forward to a members.
further growth in membership over the next As we head into 2022, we will endeavour
12 months. Lesley, Mum Patricia and Steve Newbury. to play a vital role in supporting our members
Throughout the year, we receive the best way we can.
messages of thanks from members who are be available for members to book on a first On behalf of the Ben Fund team, our
immensely grateful for the support they have come, first served basis. charity’s trustees and the Operation
been given by the Ben Fund. I am always It was an honour to attend last month’s Committee, I would like to wish you all a very
deeply touched by their appreciation and very Armistice Day service at HQ and lay a happy and peaceful Christmas.
proud to be part of a fantastic team. memorial wreath at the foot of the Force’s Stay safe and keep well.
This month we received a lovely message Roll of Honour. John Williams
from uniform training sergeant, Natalie
Hobster.
“I wanted to take this opportunity to
thank the Benevolent Fund for the recent help
offered to one of our student officers. They
were coping with a really difficult period in
their life. Once again, I have been incredibly
impressed by the compassion and assistance
provided by the team at the Benevolent Fund.
The intervention by the police charity has
ensured that the student feels valued and
supported by the organisation especially at
the most challenging time of their life. Thank
you again for the time and support given to
the officer.”
Over the past 12 months we have given
out more than £50,000 to support members
in their hour of need. This, of course, would
not be possible without the ongoing support
of our members and their monthly
subscriptions. I’d like to thank you for your
continued support over the past year. For full details of membership benefits visit www.wmpben.co.uk
We have lots planned for next year, Not a member of the Benevolent Fund? Why not join online today
including our ever-popular family fun days. https://wmpben.co.uk/how-to-join/application-form/

22 federation December 2021/January 2022 www.polfed.org/westmids