Police CPI Light the Lakes again!

Light the Lakes

The first Light the Lakes event, organised by retired Police Sergeant Ian Davis on April 28, 2012, brought together 594 police officers, colleagues, and friends to climb the Wainwright Peaks in the Lake District. This inaugural event raised over £30,000 to support the orphaned children of murdered Surrey Detective Constable Heather Cooper.

Since then, Light the Lakes has become a well-established tradition, with many individuals continuing to scale the Wainwright Peaks to raise funds for COPS. COPS has supported hundreds of police families who have been devastated by the loss of a loved one in the line of duty, tirelessly providing peer support and access to counselling services, helping surviving family members rebuild their shattered lives.

To support COPS, Police CPI’s nominated charity, a number of Police CPI team members chose this year to hike Sheffield Pike in the Eastern Fells of the Lake District. To reach the peak, the team would have to climb an impressive 2,215 ft/675m on the evening of Friday 21st June, with plans to camp out and enjoy the view from the top until the key time arrived – the lighting of the beacons on all 214 Wainwright Peaks at 3am on the 22nd.

Sheffield Pike

The Police CPI team for 2024 was made up of Ailis, Allan with daughter Elle and friend Lou, Nic, Julian, Stephen and Denby Dog. The group travelled from across the UK and met in Glenridding’s Ullswater Inn, located at the base of Sheffield Pike.

The group set off around 6pm in high spirits, despite the daunting peak looming high above their starting location. Julian described the walk as “very enjoyable, great scenery and views but challenging - I underestimated it!”

Arriving at the peak around 9pm in a biting wind and drizzling rain, tents were erected and dinner was made and consumed. This task was not without its challenges – looking back, Julian lamented his decision to pack his food at the bottom of his bag!

Following their al fresco dining experience, the wind and rain intensified so the group retreated to their shelters for a few hours of sleep, alarms set for 2:40am.

The Beacons are Lit

Clambering out of their tents in the middle of the night for the 3am beacon lighting, the Police CPI team were greeted by a wet and windy peak. Regardless, the group lit their flares, completing the task they had had to miss the previous year due to safety concerns. A mist that had rolled in during the night prevented sight of other participants and their lights on the surrounding peaks, but satisfied by their efforts, everyone returned to their tents for another short sleep before descending Sheffield Pike in the early morning.

After an easier walk down, tired and hungry, the group stopped for a well-needed hot breakfast in Penrith before travelling back across the UK. 

Good Cause

As a Police-owned, not-for-profit organisation, Police CPI works closely with the Police Service and a number of the team have a background in policing. As such, COPS is a charity that is very near to the hearts of many in the organisation, and the entire staff team are incredibly proud of the group who took on the Light the Lakes challenge.

For their efforts, they were able to raise £625 for COPS. A fantastic amount!

Lisa Meads, CEO at Care of Police Survivors, congratulated the team on their accomplishment: “We are so very grateful for the continued support from Police CPI who once again took part in the Light The Lakes event. The weather conditions proved very challenging indeed and it meant the world to our survivors and the COPS team to know that Police CPI were there, committed to joining us in honouring our fallen police officers and staff. Thank you to Ailis, Allan, Elle, Lou, Nic, Julian, Stephen, and not forgetting Denby Dog, and everyone who supported them – together we will help our bereaved police families to rebuild their shattered lives.”

You can continue to donate at the Police CPI Light the Lakes Just Giving page.

Find out more about the Police CPI nominated charity at ukcops.org