Hertfordshire: Police tackle Three Peaks Challenge

The team was led by Detective Sergeant Laura Bassett, who founded the force’s Child and Baby Loss Support Network.

The group set off the weekend before the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week (October 9-15), and climbed Ben Nevis in Scotland), Scafell Pike  in England and Snowdon in Wales, in difficult weather conditions.

"It was really hard work," Laura said, "and someone told us that it was the worst rain Scotland had seen in 36 years."

The group initially set a fundraising target for £500 but managed to raise more than £5,500.

Laura explained, "I wanted to raise money for Sands because they helped me through the worst time of my life."

Laura founded the constabulary’s support network last year, which has since then been expanded into Bedfordshire Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

"It took a few days before we all started to feel normal again," Laura continued, "but we felt a great sense of achievement and we are grateful to everyone that has donated."

READ MORE

• Flying Finale ends IWM Duxford's 50th anniversary in style

"My aim was to provide peer support to staff and officers, both women and men, so that they feel less alone and line managers are now reaching out to us and asking for our advice on how best they can support their staff following a loss.

"We want to help people to feel comfortable to have that conversation instead of either avoiding it or being worried about saying the wrong thing. It’s really important to acknowledge a loss even if you just say, ‘I’m really sorry to hear what had happened’."

Laura was joined by Sergeant Simon Totten, Inspector Michael Ball, PCSO Dan Huntley, Chief Inspector Andrew Palfreyman, Sergeant Ciaran Palfreyman, PC Dave Vass, PC Alex Corr, PC Claire Lapenna and PC Ben Kirby.

The constabulary has a dedicated Wellbeing Team and support networks to ensure that our police officers, staff and volunteers are supported in their roles and their work to protect the public of Hertfordshire.