Thousands Raised For Daughter of Essex Police Colleagues at Federation Bravery Awards

Essex Police Federation is delighted to say £3,600 was raised by guests at our Annual Bravery Awards to support the daughter of a colleague.

The money – raised at a raffle on the night at the event in May – will go to the Hope for Grace charity to support four-year-old Grace Beverton, who was born with a rare genetic mutation.

Grace is the daughter of Essex Police colleagues Dale and Gemma Beverton.

Sadly, Grace has had severe health problems ever since she had her first seizure when she was just five months old. She was hospitalised and was left with severe epilepsy. Since then, she has had multiple seizures which have required her to be put into a medical coma each time.

Grace lives with mobility issues and developmental delays, and experiences a lot of pain and frequent hospital visits. Just 25 children around the world have the same mutation.

Hope for Grace provides Grace with vital physiotherapy, swimming, equipment and other resources that help her lead a more comfortable, active and rewarding life.

Laura Heggie, Essex Police Federation Chair, said: “What a wonderful amount of money raised for such an important cause. I would like to thank all those who dug deep on the night for Hope for Grace – and all who donated prizes.

“This is a charity very close to my heart as Grace’s Daddy, Dale was an officer on my shift when Grace was born.

“Grace is the bravest, strongest, amazing little four-year-old girl you could meet and even through all the pain and suffering she endures she always has a smile and the most infectious laugh.

“She also has the best parents going and I know they are also overwhelmed by the generosity.”

The Federation has now called on supporters to attend a charity football match on Saturday – also in support of the cause.

The football funday will be held on 25 June at 2pm at Stanway Rovers FC, with proceeds going to Hope for Grace.

Find out more here: https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/grace-beverton/

The Federation would like to thank all those who donated raffle prizes on the night: Rates Group, Motorola, Metfriendly, No5 Chambers, Number1 Copperpot Credit Union, Penningtons THB Legal and MartisMedia.