An epic motorcycle ride will today begin in honour of fallen police.
The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance will see around 400 serving and retired police travel from the Victoria Police Memorial on St Kilda Road to the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Police Memorial in Canberra.
More than 1900 riders from police forces across Australia will converge at the conclusion of the 850km journey.
Victoria Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Libby Murphy will present a special legacy baton to this year’s legatees.
Thankfully it will not carry any names of Victorian police who have died in the last year.
Nationwide five police are being recognised, three of them historical deaths.
The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance – now in its 15th year – has raised almost $370,000 for the not-for-profit Victoria Police Legacy since it began in 2009.
³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ly for all police legacies, the event has raised about $1.6m.
Money raised is used to provide support for police members and their families who have lost a loved one.
This year’s ride contingent will gather for a special ceremony at 7.30am before departing at 8am under police escort.
They will travel to Sale, Lakes Entrance and Cann River before crossing the border into Eden and staying overnight in Merimbula.
On Saturday riders make their way to Canberra for the national commemoration with police colleagues from all jurisdictions.
To donate to the ride and learn more about Victoria Police Legacy visit policelegacyvic.org.au.
Quotes attributable to Acting Deputy Commissioner Libby Murphy:
“This event is a profound display of our enduring respect and gratitude to those police who have passed.
“Be it in the line of duty or through other causes, we honour their contribution in making our community a safer place.
“The Wall to Wall ride also shines a light on the important work of Victoria Police Legacy in supporting the police community in times of tragedy.
“As a police family, we will always be there for the loved ones who are left behind.
“Today is a reminder of that unity, not only within Victoria Police but within police forces across the nation.”
