A POLICE officer has completed a ride of remembrance to the Netherlands and Belgium in memory of those who lost their lives during the two world wars.

PC Ian Risden, from the Castle Point and Rochford community policing team, joined other members of the Emergency Services Motorcycle Club to raise money for Call4Backup.

Mr Risden rode alongside Ian Newling, Ian Flynn, Neil Hudson, Nick Allen, Keith Harvey and Keith Langley, who are all serving or retired police officers.

Supporters of the team of riders have raised about £700 for the support charity, which helps serving and volunteer members of the police service with a view to improve their overall wellbeing.

During their trip earlier this month, they completed 2,000 miles over four days.

For Mr Risden, 50, a dad-of-three, the trip was particularly poignant as he visited the grave of his great uncle William Skewis, a flight sergeant, who died aged 24 in the Battle of Arnhem.

Mr Risden said: “I laid a wreath on my great uncle’s grave as a mark of respect.

“I have done it before, about seven or eight years ago, but it was quite surreal.

“The town has really changed so I wasn’t sure where I was going at one point, but as soon as I found the church I knew where the grave was.

“I spent about an hour there having a moment.

“Because none of my family members have been to the grave except me, I found it a very humbling experience.

“It’s hard to imagine what went on there.

“There are only two soldiers in the graveyard.”

Mr Risden said that his great uncle, who was a wireless operator and a rear gunner, was dropping off supplies to the troops and was shot down as he was returning.

He added: “It has been worthwhile doing but it was a very arduous journey, we just travelled along country routes rather than motorways.

“When you are normally riding in a group, the easiest thing is to get down and hit some speed on the motorway, but by travelling that way you are not taking it all in.

“You have to be on the look-out for everyone and we kept a close eye on each other.

“This is my second year of doing it with the same crew.

“They are all serving or have been serving police officers, a few of them are now retired.

“It’s great that we have all got a common goal to enjoy motorcycling and to commemorate those who have fallen in the two world wars.”

If you would like to support the team for their efforts, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/esmcc

For more information about Call4Backup, you should visit call4backup.org