Many of you will be aware of Durham Motorcycle Sections annual BikeWise Easter Egg Run...
This is a hugely popular event, that, with assistance from the force's motorcycle section, regularly sees up to 1,000 motorcyclists enjoying a 'closed road' ride from Durham to Darlington Memorial Hospital and then back to University Hospital of North Durham, where easter eggs and toys are donated to the respective children's wards, and a generous amount of money is raised for a nominated charity.
This is actually a hugely popular national initiative, supported by motorcyclists from all backgrounds, with a common goal of making Easter a bit more enjoyable for the children who can't be at home to enjoy the festivities.
Unfortunately, this year sees the first time since 2005 that our motorcycle section are unable to host the event.
We at the Dog Support Unit have, for a long time, enjoyed a good relationship and affiliation with our bike section, and a few of the unit are regulars at the Easter Egg Runs.
With this in mind, we have decided to try and keep the tradition going by hosting our own Easter event, still with the children's wards in mind, and hopefully continuing with the great public support and interaction with ourselves and the organisation, that has been built since 2005.
We obviously wouldn't be able to coordinate the 'closed road' ride, so the following has been proposed :
From Monday 14th April 2014, please drop off your Easter eggs / toys / donation (voluntary) at any of your local Police stations, including HQ reception at Aykley Heads or with us at the Dog Support Unit.
Make sure all items are clearly marked for the 'Dog Support Unit (DSU) Easter Event' so that we can collect them easily at various times throughout the week.
If possible, please drop us a quick email at durhampolicek9@gmail.com to tell us where you have left your gifts.
On Saturday 19th April a couple of our handlers and dogs will visit the children's wards at Darlington, Bishop Auckland and Durham (UHND) hospitals to hand out your gifts and give the children and families a chance to meet and play with some of our friendlier dogs and learn about their work.
A representative from 'BikeWise' will also be with us as they are generously donating some money to some of the wards.
There is also to be a special visit to the stroke ward at Bishop Auckland, in recognition of the assistance given to a colleague who sadly and very recently passed away.
We'll see how this year turns out, but there is every chance this will turn into a fabulous annual event for our unit.
All suggestions are welcomed ...!
Please spread the word and here's looking forward to brightening up Easter weekend for some poorly kids.
This year's nominated charity is PawsUp
Some other dates for your diary :
Sunday 18th May 2014 -
Durham Constabulary Dog Support Unit's annual 'DOGWISE' event. At Haughall College campus, Durham. 10am - 4pm.
More details to follow at a later date.
Sunday 20th July 2014 -
Durham Constabulary's annual 'BIKEWISE' event. Police HQ, Aykley heads, Durham.
More details to follow at a later date
