The best way to describe the PC Harper Ride of Respect event is this: A somber occasion but one filled with hope and support from the local community. For us at the 4×4 Response, we learned a lot about the power of community at an event scale and magnitude. A minute’s silence was a touching and fitting way to begin our day.

What we hadn’t expected was just how overwhelmingly positive the response from the public and the bikers was going to be. There was expected to be people along the roads and waving to the bikers and service members as they drove by, however, we hadn’t expected there to be so many people that waited out the whole day and even waited for those who helped keep the event running to drive past, waving and clapping as we went by. Their dedication to the day was what made the event the success it was. It was members of the public that started the event and it was them who showed up and gave the support needed to become something bigger than anyone had expected. They brought together so many groups, including ours, to work on something that was an event none of us will ever forget. 

No one in our group had expected we would receive the gratitude from the community that we did. It wasn’t their gratitude that was eye opening, it was the scale and dedication to the event that showed the power of community, communication, charity and the positive side of social media and how well it was utilised to bring so many people together from so far across the UK. I know that it’s an experience I won’t forget and it’s all because of the everyone who put their time in.

The Cowbridge annual Christmas parade and lighting ceremony were a great success for both the town and 4×4 Response Wales. With road closures throughout the day causing diversions and limited access to the town, there was a lot for the group to manage. However, by working in conjunction with the local police and PCSO’s the day ran smoothly.

In the morning the streets lines with people waiting for the parade. They were thankful for the assistance that we were giving with the event and had a good mood about the day ahead. It was obvious from just talking to those who lived nearby that the event meant a lot to the community. This event has run for many years and clearly has a lot of support and being able to be part of that was meaningful to all of us who helped that day. Events like these bring communities together to celebrate something together and have a day of fun and entertainment. 

The evening ran smoothly too, with further road closures coming into place we were able to direct traffic with no issues. The lighting ceremony saw special guest Santa Clause flipping the switch for the lights. Fireworks followed and were a pleasant end to a long day for both the spectators and us in the 4×4 response.  

A big thank you has to go out to those we worked with on the day, the police, PCSO’s and the local Lions for being so welcoming and willing to co-operate with us throughout the day. The communication between the groups and the willingness to work together meant that we were all able to focus on keeping everything running smoothly throughout the day without having to worry. 

A special thank you goes out to PC Stuart Elson for his organising so prior to and during the event and for communicating important information before the day begun and then with later developments throughout the event.