THOUSANDS of motorbikes will descend upon the National Police Memorial in Canberra in spring for the annual Wall-to-Wall: Ride for Remembrance.
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On September 12, police officers from Australia wide will embark on a special tribute journey across the country honouring the “services and sacrifices” of law enforcement officers to raise money for policing legacy organisations.
This will be the fifth year the southern region of the NSW police force has taken part in the event which was first imagined in 2009 by two officers wanting to honour the lives of their colleagues.
Growing in numbers each year, the southern region are expecting 130 registrations for the 2015 event which will congregate at Kiama Police Station before heading up Jamberoo Pass to meet up with all other NSW officers in Goulburn making their way to Canberra.
As a little sweeter, Lake Illawarra Inspector Paul Allman has partnered with Trevor Jordan Motorcycle and Frasers Motorcycles to give two learner officers the chance to ride a Harley Davidson Street 500 and a Kawasaki Vulcan 650.
“It’s all about getting more police involved to raise more money for the legacy,” Insp Allman said.
“This year also celebrates 100 years of women in the force and I have had several calls from female officers who are committing to the ride as learner drivers.
“NSW has almost 1000 riders so far, from all parts of the state. We will all meet up in Goulburn on our way to Canberra.”
Director of NSW Police Legacy Bob Minns said the legacy provided vital support for families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty or that passed away from natural causes.
“At the moment there are about 900 widows and 200 children which are on the books,” Mr Minns said. “It’s all about that police family.
“But the biggest thing about this legacy besides providing support and welfare, is that they take care of trust funds, they provide education grants - I think we’re up to $400,000 in grants this year - there is a couple of camps a year, we have lunches for the widows and its provides them that network.”
As part of the ride handmade wooden batons are carried by each state or territory’s Police Commissioners which have a hollow centre to carry a document with a list of all the fallen members from that year.
