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Thin Blue Line
Inaugural Ball
Yvonne McGregor VP
IPA Section UK received an invitation from the Thin Blue Line UK (TBLUK) for one of the National Executive
to attend their Inaugural Ball at the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh. Although we had heard of the TBL we did not
know much about the organisation and I contacted Gary Craig, the Event organiser, a serving officer with the
PSNI and a current IPA Member.
H
e said that the British public
will always remember where they
were on the morning of 18th September 2012 when Fiona Bone
and Nicola Hughes were murdered in Greater Manchester. The
circumstances of this murder, and the fact that this was two women,
grabbed public attention more than any previous police officer murder. As
a police officer he wanted to do something, anything, to help his extended
Police family come to terms with what had happened.
He set up the TBLUK Face book Page where he shared some of the dangers
police officers face on a daily basis and posted good work done by fellow
officers. The page was a great success.
The next step was to raise funds for charities that help police officers and
their families after similar tragic incidents. He chose COPS (Care of Police
Survivors) and the Police Dependents Trust. By January, 2017, they had
raised over £8500. Everything I heard and read about the organisation was
positive and to be congratulated.
When TBLUK announced they had commissioned a VERY limited edition of
25 year old Glen Elgin single malt whisky, I knew David would be interested.
Through the IPA Whiskey Forum Face book page, David circulated
information about the Whisky and within 2 days I was able to place an order
for 7 of the 11 bottles for Forum Members in Scotland, Northern Ireland,
Ireland and Sweden.
On Friday, 15 April David and I made our way to the venue and were
welcomed by Gary. It was nice to see he was wearing a kilt in the TBL Tartan
as David was sporting his IPA Kilt. It was nice to meet up with a group of US
Marshals who administer the TBL in the USA.
Two Police Officers gave very moving and emotional account of their
personal experiences prior to the Charities involvement in their lives. One of
the guests at our table who was a recent recipient of support gave us a very
personal account of the help she had received following the tragic death on
duty of her husband.
After an excellent meal we were entertained by the BlackBeez Band, who
are all serving Police Officers.
During the evening there was an Auction and a Raffle, with some amazing
prizes. I was fortunate enough to win US Marshal whisky tumblers and their
Challenge Coin. Overall the evening raised £9,200 which has been divided
equally between the charities.
During the evening Gary presented David with No 2 of the 11 Limited Edition
Bottles of Whisky.
Gary has just announced that the TBLUK Ball next year is on 28 April,
2018 at the Titanic Centre, Belfast. Tickets are on sale now.
Article
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POLICE WORLD
Vol 62 No. 3, 2017