Never too late to donate
Charity's ‘special offer' for new supporters
A system allowing online donations is being trialled in Lothian and Borders as part of a month-long campaign to encourage support for two police charities.
Every year thousands of police officers suffer injuries or experience serious illnesses. The Police Treatment Centres charity provides intensive physiotherapy and other services for these officers while the St George's Police Trust provides financial support for the families of officers who have sadly lost their lives or who are so badly injured or ill that they cannot wor k.
To help fund this work, serving police officers are asked to donate a small amount each week from their pay. In Lothian and Borders, 2300 officers support the Police Treatment Centres and 1500 support the St George's Police Trust. This means there are currently more than 600 officers who wouldn't, for instance, be eligible for free physiotherapy treatment at Castlebrae in Auchterarder should they need it.
Officers can begin donating to the Police Treatment Centres at any time in their service, but those who have completed their probation are usually restricted from seeking treatment within the first twelve months. To encourage officers to support the charity, this restriction will be lifted for those who sign up during March 2010.
Michael Baxter, Chief Executive of the Police Treatment Centres, said: "There are plenty of officers with a few years service behind them who are carrying an injury. These are officers we could be helping but for a variety of reasons they didn't sign up to support us when they joined the service. We are encouraging them to do so now.
 He continued: "Probationary officers who are donors can already apply for treatment straightaway. By extending this to officers who sign up to support us during March, we are hoping to reach those who could benefit from our services but who perhaps think it's too late to donate."
The campaign is also hoping to raise awareness of the St George's Police Trust and encourage more support from officers. Often the less well known of the two charities, the Trust currently provides financial support for more than three hundred children and young people whose police officer parent has either died or whose injuries are so serious they can no longer work.
The suggested minimum donation for the Police Treatment Centres is £1.18 and for the St George's Police Trust is 19 pence per week. Click here to sign up.
Below are comments from supporters of the Police Treatment Centres
Mhari Mitchell serving officer
"I recently went to Castlebrae (Auchterarder) after having knee reconstruction surgery and didn't really know what to expect, but there were people of all ages receiving treatment for a whole range of injuries. The treatment I had is certainly going to get me back on track in terms of my fitness and I'm hopeful it will speed up my return to full duties too."
Donald Wright retired officer
"I donated to the Police Treatment Centres throughout my service and recently stayed at Castlebrae (Auchterarder) for the first time. The treatment I received was far beyond what I was expecting and has really made a huge difference to my back. The facilities are first class, the staff are very friendly and professional, the accommodation is clean and comfortable, and the whole ambience of the centre is pleasant and restful. I cannot recommend it highly enough".
Carmen Chesney serving officer
Following a violent arrest I had my ankle broken by a young male I was informed by my Consultant that, given the type and location of the break, I may require surgery.
As soon as I was ready for physiotherapy I contacted Auchterarder and began two weeks of personalised physiotherapy. Following this treatment my Consultant found that the break had healed well and that no surgery would be required. I have absolutely no doubt that this is due to the amazing treatment I received at Auchterarder.
I know that when I joined the Police I felt a bit overwhelmed with all of the requests from different organisations who each wanted a bit of my paycheque and I remember signing up for the Police Convalescent Fund thinking "I'll never need that one", but can I just say that it has proved to be the best few pounds a month that I have ever invested.
David Strang Chief Constable
Lothian and Borders Police have always been committed to encouraging officers to contribute to the Police Treatment Centers. I am all too aware of the benefits and first class facilities provided and would encourage any colleague who does not currently subscribe to take advantage of the offer being made"
David Grady Chairman Lothian and Borders JBB
As a trustee of the Police Treatment Centres I see at first had the countless number of officers who receive treatment at both Auchterarder and Harrogate. The facilities are second to none and our staff are the best available. This is a very special offer for those who do not currently subscribe to the charity and I would encourage anyone who has not subscribed in the past to do so now.
Click here to see a podcast from Police Constable Teresa Milburn the partner of Police Constable Sharon Beshenivsky who was killed on duty
You can visit the Police Treatment Centres web site here.
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