The Metropolitan Police Widows and Widowers Support Group UK Celebrates its 6th Anniversary.

22nd October 202622nd October 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Anniversary, Havering, Police Widows min read

Tammy Lewis-founder of the Metropolitan Police Widows And Widowers Support Group, today writes in the Havering Daily.

October is a very special month for me. The 1^stOctober was the tenth anniversary of my husbands passing. October also marks the sixth anniversary of The Metropolitan Police Widows and Widowers Support Group UK, which I founded in 2020.

To mark both anniversaries, I organised a special fundraiser back in August at St Albans Baby and Toddler CIC in Elm Park, raising money for the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund a cause that means so much to me, my two children and members of my group.

I’m grateful to my lovely friend Maria, who runs the baby and toddler group, for allowing us to hold the fundraiser there again this year. It means a lot to have her continued support.

My two children helped by making sweet bags, which they sold on the day alongside cakes, cookies and raffle tickets.

I’d like to thank Wendy, who is one of the admins in the group, for coming along to support me and helping with setting up the raffle. I really appreciated her taking the time to come along and support me. I’d also like to thank my two lovely friends, Anna and Caroline who came along to help and support me on the day. I really appreciated them taking the time to be there.

My lovely friend Louise also gave her time to face paint for the children, with the money raised from the face panting going towards the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund.

I’d also like to thank everyone at the toddler group who supported us by buying sweet bags, cakes and raffle tickets. Everything they bought helped us raise money for the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund, and it was lovely to have everyone’s support.

I would like to thank the local businesses who kindly supported our fundraiser. Thank you to Focus Music, Body Balance Osteopaths, Le Moulin Patisserie and Boulangerie, Starbucks for donating prizes for our raffle. I’d like to thank Muffin Break for kindly donating muffins for us to sell on the day. Their generosity helped us raise even more money for the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund.

The police were there throughout the morning, which made the event extra special for the children. I’m grateful to Sergeant Matt Atkin, his Inspector and the TSG officers who came along for their time and support. Sergeant Matt Atkin kindly organised for the TSG officers and carrier to attend, which gave the children such a wonderful experience.

The children loved exploring the TSG carrier, sitting in the driver’s seat, putting the siren on, holding the shields and trying on police uniforms. My daughter also really enjoyed trying on the police uniform, and it was lovely seeing how much she enjoyed it.

I also, spoke with Sergeant Matt Atkin about Pint for Mike, a campaign being run by one of the members Lorna of our group to encourage people to donate blood in memory of her husbandSergeant Mike Newbrook. I had the Pint for Mike poster displayed in a frame on the table throughout the fundraiser, and at the end of the morning I gave it to Sergeant Matt Atkin so he could help spread the word about the campaign. Mike received more than 100 pints of donated blood products during his cancer treatment, giving him 16 precious extra months with his family.Sergeant Matt was very supportive and said he would help spread the word.

If anyone would like to support Pint for Mike by donating blood, every donation could help give someone more precious time with the people they love.

@pintformike Donate in Mike’s memory

I made a special Blue Bow Remembrance display, tying blue bows onto the gate outside the hall. Members of our group were able to have a blue bow displayed in memory of their loved one. Theygave me their loved one’s name, which I wrote onto a tag and attached to their blue bow.

Each bow was a beautiful reminder that although our loved ones may no longer be here, they are never forgotten. My husband was also remembered on the display, which made it especially emotional for me.

We celebrated the groups sixth anniversary last Sunday, 18^th October, with a lovely lunch at Linguine Italian Restaurant at Hainault Golf Club, where some of our members came together to mark the occasion.

To mark our sixth anniversary, we are also extending our support to include widows, widowers and bereaved partners of Metropolitan Police Special Constables.

The Metropolitan Police Widows and Widowers Support Group UK continues to bring police widows, widowers and partners together through our online Facebook group and regular meet-ups, where members can support one another and still feel part of the police family. If you or someone you know would benefit from the group, please get in touch. Search for The Metropolitan Police Widows and Widowers Support Group UK on Facebook.

As well as the money raised from the things we sold on the day, members of our group also kindly made donations. Some members donated towards having a Blue Bow displayed in memory of their loved one, while others simply wanted to make a donation to support the cause. My husband’s best friend, who is also a Metropolitan Police officer, also kindly made a donation.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who supported the fundraiser, we raised £650.00 for the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund.