Serve and Protect Credit Union helps Police to #StayForceFit!

Tuesday 23 January 2024

Earlier in the year, Serve and Protect CU created its #StayForceFit challenge aiming to improve the wellbeing of the policing family during lockdown by encouraging participants to get active for a common cause, to win £1,000 for its Welfare Fund.

The challenge was simple, log the miles covered in your daily walk/jog to add to your forces total amount.  The response was overwhelming with over 62,000 miles of exercise logged for 16 police forces. There was some amazing feedback from participants who loved taking part in the twofold challenge to potentially win their force welfare fund £1,000 whilst getting fit at the same time.

Paul Norgrove, CEO of Serve and Protect CU commented: “We are delighted with the outstanding response to the #StayForceFit Challenge. It is fantastic that we could play our part to help hundreds of individuals keep active and exercise during the lockdown period. We recognise the important role exercise can play in improving an individual’s overall mental and physical wellbeing, so are incredibly proud to have seen such a positive response.”

South Wales Police won the challenge with 34,000 miles of exercise and received £1,000 for their force welfare fund. Norfolk Constabulary came in second and Dyfed-Powys Police in third, winning £250 and £100 respectively for their own force welfare funds.

Dave Greaves, Treasurer of South Wales Police Benevolent Fund said: “On behalf of South Wales Police Benevolent Fund and South Wales Police Staff Benevolent Fund, I would like to thank Serve and Protect CU for their generous donation and Team Police for organising the #StayForceFit Challenge.

“The donation is very much appreciated by both funds and will support local benevolent cases. We are equally grateful for the tremendous efforts of all of those that participated who will also benefit from the improved mental and physical wellbeing associated to their activity”

The video below shows, Rob Lovesey and Tom Sutton from Serve and Protect CU are joined by DCI Jason Herbert from the winning South Wales Police Force to discuss the challenge and it’s impact. Following the success of this campaign, Serve and Protect will be launching a second challenge for its members in the fire services, so watch this space for further details.