Officers take on Three Peaks Challenge for baby loss charity

Officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary recently spent their weekend climbing the UK’s three highest peaks to raise money for a baby loss charity.

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

She was joined on the Three Peaks Challenge 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.

They set off the weekend before the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October) and were seen off by Deputy Chief Constable Bill Jephson, who gave them his best wishes.  

They climbed Ben Nevis (Scotland), Scafell Pike (England) and Snowdon (Wales), in difficult weather conditions.  

Laura said: “It was really hard work and someone told us it was the worst rain Scotland had seen in 36 years!

“By the end our legs felt like dead weights. It took a few days before we all started to feel normal again, but we felt a great sense of achievement and we are grateful to everyone that has donated.”

After initially setting a fundraising target of £500, they have raised more than £5,500 for Sands (opens in a new window).

Laura, who has been a police officer for 20 years, said: “I wanted to raise money for Sands because they helped me through the worst time of my life.”

Last year, Laura founded the constabulary’s Child and Baby Loss Support Network, which has since been expanded into Bedfordshire Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

“My aim was to provide peer support to staff and officers, both women and men, so that they feel less alone,” she said.

“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 help them 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’.”

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.