Norfolk Constabulary is leading the way with a fundraising initiative for police forces across the country to get behind the Help for Heroes charity.

Stylish Police for Heroes metal pin badges have been produced for police officers and staff to purchase to wear on their uniforms or work clothes. The small pin badge, produced in the colours of the three armed forces, is designed for police to show their support for the men and women who return wounded from active service.

“Norfolk, along with our neighbouring counties, has particularly close associations with the armed forces – our thoughts are with those who are daily putting their lives on the line for us in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. We want them to know that we are right behind them.”

Chief Constable Ian McPherson

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were the first recipients of the Police for Heroes pin badge at the Sandringham Flower Show in July.

Norfolk Constabulary Chief Constable Ian McPherson pinned the collectable symbol of support on to the lapel of Prince Charles as he attended the event on the Queen’s Norfolk estate.

Bryn Parry, co-founder of the Help for Heroes charity, followed by pinning a badge onto the Duchess’s smart navy jacket to mark the launch of the initiative.

Chief Constable Ian McPherson worked with the charity co-founders Bryn and Emma Parry on the design of the neat badges to allow police officers a smarter alternative to the popular Help for Heroes wrist band.

Mr Ian McPherson said:

“Police officers, staff, their families and friends should feel proud to wear this new badge on their uniforms or work clothes. Along with many other people in this country, I fully support the aims of Help for Heroes as, in fact, do many of my colleagues.

“Norfolk, along with our neighbouring counties, has particularly close associations with the armed forces – our thoughts are with those who are daily putting their lives on the line for us in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. We want them to know that we are right behind them.”

37 police forces have signed up to the Norfolk led initiative.

High demand and enthusiasm has been displayed by the police service nationally as thousands of officers and staff wear the pin badges to show their support for military colleagues serving all over the world.

 

 

Fundraising for the future
Over the coming months additional fundraising activities will take place as Norfolk Constabulary continues to raise funds for this worthwhile cause, more details to be announced soon.

The badges cost £3 each and all monies raised from the national police service will go direct to the Help for Heroes charity.

Help for Heroes was launched in October 2007 by a group of friends and service relations to help the wounded coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Bryn Parry, a former member of The Royal Green Jackets, launched the charity after a meeting with Norfolk resident and the ex Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt KCB CBE MC.

Patrons of the charity include Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, British Para-Olympian Chris Holmes, singer James Blunt, former soldier and author Andy McNab along with television presenter Anneka Rice.