Fundraisers exceed £250k for police officers killed in A66 crash
Funds will support the families of Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough
Over £250,000 has been raised for the families of two police officers who tragically died in a crash involving a car driving the wrong way on the A66 dual carriageway in Teesside.
Pc Matthew Blades, aged 37, and Pc Tom Clough, aged 38, died when a Volkswagen Passat collided with their marked armed response vehicle shortly after police halted a pursuit of the car.
The crash also resulted in the deaths of 17-year-olds Cole Robert Worthy and Theo Rae, 18-year-old Makai Saddington, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak.
Two separate fundraising efforts have been launched to support the families of the officers.
A fundraiser created by the Cleveland Police Federation has reached £228,000 as of early Monday, with organisers pledging to divide the funds equally between the families of Pc Blades and Pc Clough.
Additionally, another crowdfunding effort raised over £27,600 to support these families.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct explained that Cleveland Police initiated the chase after receiving intelligence on "numerous incidents" linked to the Passat, believed to be using cloned plates.
Both officers were not part of the original pursuit but were called to assist with the search for the vehicle.
Family members have paid touching tributes to the deceased officers.
Pc Clough, previously with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, was mourned as "our hero", with his family remembering him as someone who gave his life "in the line of duty, protecting and serving others."
Pc Blades' wife shared fond memories of her husband in a public statement, describing him as "my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys."
She added that he was a cherished member of their family, saying, "Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our superhero. Our Matt and Dad."
Tributes have also poured in for the five young men involved in the crash, with friends expressing disbelief and heartbreak on social media.
Balloon releases in their memory have been announced for different locations throughout the week, and a silent prayer vigil is set to take place on Monday at St John the Evangelist Church in South Bank.