Blue Lamp Trail 30th June

The Blue Lamp Trial


Next week I am embarking on my longest swim. The length of Windermere. The intention is two-fold. First to raise awareness of the Blue Lamp Foundation
http://bluelamp-foundation.org/

Second to raise funding for it.

The mission of the Foundation is
The money that we raise is used to relieve the financial hardship that some personnel of the Emergency Services may face after being criminally injured whilst on duty.

We are aiming to raise £1million by 2013, which will be three years after forming.

On the 30th June I will race Thomas Noblet to the participate in the first Blue Lamp Trial. It will start at 9am and involves us swimming the length of Lake Windermere.
This will be the longest in time and distance I have ever swam. So the unknown.

But it's worth it. I can't think it could in any way approach the pain and suffering many colleagues have endured as a result of criminal attacks and assault.

We want to show support to the families and friends of those injured and to help the Foundation. The Foundation was established by David Rathband and we support it to mark the impact that David had on policing. He is remembered with pride.
We hope that we can do something to help our show rct for his life and contribution to keeping our society safe.

If you can support the Blue Lamp Trial use the link below and donate

http://www.justgiving.com/StuHyde



Thank you

Blue Lamp trial

Ok here's the deal. 30th June swim the length of Lake Windermere. That's it.
If you can support me on the day that would be great. If not follow the link and donate a few bob to the Blue lamp Foundation
http://www.justgiving.com/StuHyde

Thanks

Visit to the Deer Initiative

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting the Deer Initiative within Cumbria and spent time talking to national experts about the challenges of retaining a balance amongst the sometimes competing issues. We covered the types of deer, their habitats and risks to them as well as the risks to people from vehicle related accidents. The number of road accidents involving deer is high and was brought close to home by one involving a colleague that week. Luckily no injuries.
One of the interesting issues was the status of deer as res nullius ie they are owned by no one. The Deer Initiative is a partnership and like so many such relationships it's value exceeds the sum of its constituent parts. Whilst covering issues of Deer in the rural countryside we explored Deer in urban environments.
The site http://www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk/best_practice/
covers the initiative but also identifies agreed good practice.
In my role as ACPO lead for Wildlife and Rural crime it was very useful to see the extent of collaboration and the integration of statutory and voluntary sectors alongside land owners. Many issues shared, many views exchanged. I look forward to developing good working relationships with those involved.
My thanks to the Graythwaite Estate, Cumbria Deer Project, John Thornley, Peter Watson and Alastair Boston and to colleagues from the Forestry Commission who helped make the visit so informative.