North Wales Police Officers Prepare For Zip-line Charity Challenge

A senior police officer is preparing to travel at over 100mph on a zip wire in North Wales – all in the name of charity.

Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard and two other colleagues from North Wales Police are taking part on Europe’s longest zip wire in Bethesda to help raise funds towards a Guide Dog puppy.

DCC Pritchard will be joined by the North Wales Special Constabulary Chief Officer Mark Owen and Mark Jones from the Force’s Corporate Communications Team who will take part in the charity event with the Guide Dogs on Sunday 25th June.

Over the last 18 months, North Wales Police have been fundraising to help reach their target of £2,500 towards a Guide Dog puppy. The Force are now just over the half way mark and are having a last push at reaching their target before the end of the year.

Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard said: “The challenge came about at our recent bake sale in aid of the Guide Dogs. Being local from the Bethesda area I was persuaded to take part and it’s something that (I think) I’m looking forward to.

“We are extremely proud to be supporting this worthwhile charity and we hope to raise as much funds as possible to help support a guide dog puppy that will provide a vital service to a blind or partially sighted individual.

“Part of the package includes naming the puppy so we are looking for a suitable Welsh name.

He added: “As a force, North Wales Police have a long-established link with the Guide Dogs after a prominent former Police Constable was shot and blinded whilst on duty back in 1961.

“The late PC Arthur Rowlands was shot and blinded whilst he was patrolling the Dyfi Bridge near Machynlleth. Despite his disability, he returned to work as a police switchboard operator, bringing his guide dog with him.

He added: “Every penny counts so if you like the thought of me and my colleagues hurtling down a zip line at over 100mph then you can donate towards this worthy cause via our Just Giving page.”

It costs over £5,000 to breed and puppy walk each guide dog puppy and the lifetime cost of a guide dog is nearly £50,000. The ‘Name a Puppy – Change a Life’ scheme encourages groups to raise funds over a two year period to assist with food, training and veterinary bills. All donations will help provide independence and freedom for people who are blind or partially sighted.

Over the last 18 months North Wales Police have raised funds by collections at their Open Day in 2015 and via the Emergency Services Carol Service held at Bangor Cathedral in December 2016. They have also hosted a bake sale and have a permanent book stall at their canteen at Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay.

Donations towards the cause can be made via the North Wales Police Just Giving page.