A FUNDRAISING page in memory of fallen Thames Valley Police officer PC Andrew Harper has racked up more than £290,000 in donations.
The official page – which was launched by Thames Valley Police Federation – will give all the proceeds to the family of PC Harper, who was tragically killed on duty in the Berkshire village of Sulhamstead on the night of August 15.
The police group have said the response has been 'phenomenal' and donations are still pouring in.
So far more than 13,000 people have donated cash to the crowd-funder.
Craig O'Leary, the chairman of the federation, said he was 'absolutely blown away' by everyone's generosity.
As it is, the fundraiser has racked up more than £290,900 from 13,788 supporters on the JustGiving Page which was set up by Andy Fiddler.
The team say the page will remain open until PC Harper's funeral – which has not been disclosed.
Mr O'Leary said: “It is absolutely phenomenal and I’m sure in whatever way the family decide to use the money, people will support what they do.
"I just can’t thank people enough for being so generous.”
PC Harper, who is thought to have lived in Wallingford, married his wife Lissie in Oxfordshire in July, just four weeks before his death.
The page says: "Thames Valley Police Federation are raising money for the family of PC Andrew Harper, the Police Officer who tragically gave his life on duty protecting the public on 15 August.
"Sadly on very rare and horrendous occasions a colleague makes the ultimate sacrifice. We will ensure that heroism is never forgotten. All our thoughts remain with Andrew’s wife, family, friends and close colleagues. The family of PC Harper will receive all money raised."
PC Harper will be among other colleagues in police forces up and down the UK remembered at this year's National Police Memorial Day in Glasgow at the end of September.
TVP Federation said the event will be 'especially poignant' as the force will pay tribute to two other officers who lost their lives in the last year: PC Daniel Clayton -Drabble who died when his car hit a tree on his way home from a night shift on Boxing Day and PC Kevin Flint who was killed in a crash when he was on his motorbike on the way home from work in January.
Mr O'Leary added: “Thames Valley has sadly had too many police officer deaths in the last few years, and this really comes to the fore at National Police Memorial Day.
"We will be there, honouring our lost colleagues and meeting with Thames Valley families to celebrate the lives of those officers that have fallen in service. It’s really important for us to make sure that we look after the families and that they see that the police family is a strong family and we’re all together – and that that support for them will never disappear.”
To view the page, or donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pc-andrew-harper/
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