Fundraising drive launched to renovate wellbeing and memorial garden at Leicestershire Police HQ
Leicestershire Police, in partnership with The Ian and Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust, has launched a unique and ambitious fundraising programme to redesign and refurbish the memorial garden at force headquarters.
Chief Constable Rob Nixon QPM said the garden is a space where “we can remember those who gave everything to keep our communities safe”.
The project will be solely funded through charitable donations via the Mattioli Trust, which has established a JustGiving page for donations.
The charity, partners and Leicestershire Police will be reaching out to local businesses and stakeholders for support, encouraging staff to organise and take part in fundraising events and asking the public to give their support to the project.
The target for the fund is currently at approximately £200,000 to renovate the garden and the memorials. Any additional funds raised over and above this amount will and used for ongoing maintenance and upkeep.
The Mattioli Trust is supporting the project and matched funding donations up to £20,000 in order to reach the target needed to renovate the garden.
Leicestershire Police says the memorial garden is a place of quiet reflection to remember those officers who sadly lost their lives in the line of duty as well as a space for officers, staff and visitors to simply sit peacefully and take time away from what is often a very stressful and traumatic job.
It added: “The current garden is now in urgent need of considerable investment as time and the weather has taken its toll over the years.
“It desperately needs modernising to make it accessible for everyone, the memorial plaques and benches need replacing, and the landscaping needs improving to build a larger space, with seating, to be used for ceremonies and events such as Remembrance Day and National Police Memorial Day.”
The force has already been in touch with family members whose loved ones are remembered on the memorial plaque, and a fundraising evening will be held for local businesses, organisations and stakeholders on April 9 to explain the plans in more detail and answer questions.
Mr Nixon said: “The garden holds deep personal significance to myself, Ian [Mattioli, founder and trustee of the Trust] and many others, as it’s a space where we can remember those who gave everything to keep our communities safe. It is also a place visited by family members across the generations looking to connect and remember their loved ones.
“Policing is not just a job, it is a unique and challenging profession, marked by acts of heroism and sacrifice each and every day. When a member of staff or police officer passes away it can have a huge impact on teams, departments indeed the whole force because when you work here you are part of the police family.
“We have created a JustGiving campaign page because we know there are members of the public who might wish to contribute to a project and this means a great deal to the force.
“Their support will help to provide a sanctuary for serving officers, enabling them to decompress and engage in quiet contemplation. It will also act as a visible and living symbol of remembrance to honour those that have served and are no longer with us.”
Ian Mattioli MBE DL, founder and trustee of the Ian & Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust, said: “I am massively appreciative of the work that the police do. Often in areas which are very complex and emotionally challenging. The garden is about thank you and remembering people from yesterday but it is also about people serving in the force today and tomorrow.
“Policing is a job which is needed and not all of us could do – I know that I wouldn’t be able to, and the garden is simply a way of saying thank you to all of the police family for all they do for us and our communities.
“We know and understand that the cost of living is challenging for lots of people, so I cannot stress enough that every contribution, no matter how large or small, will help us create this special space to remember those we have lost but also to honour those who work in policing today who can benefit from this peaceful space.
“One hundred per cent of any donation will go towards the garden, and I personally will be matched funding donations initially up to a total of £20,000. We aim to bring supporters together to help create a serene and respectful place for remembrance, ensuring this special site remains a fitting tribute for years to come.”