A FORMER police officer from Cwmbran has pledged to raise money in memory of two Gwent constables who died while on duty by taking on a gruelling180-mile cycle challenge.

This month, Scott Askew will take part in the Police Unity Tour raising money for Care of Police Survivors – a charity supporting the families of police officers who die while serving.

After taking part in the event last year, the 43-year-old former Gwent officer – who left the force in 2015 after 12 years of service – has already raised £570.

He will ride in memory of PC Adrian Ellis, who died in September 1989 in a motorcycle accident aged 29, and PC Terry Davies, who died in August 1990 after being hit by a car while cycling home from work.

The Police Unity Tour started in Washington DC back in 1997 and was organised to raise awareness of police officers who died in the line of duty with the motto of “We ride for those who died”.

By 2013, the project had reached UK shores with the Metropolitan Police Service organising the first tour for charity Care of Police Survivors.

Mr Askew got involved in 2016, with officers from various UK forces taking part and riding in chapters through counties including Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

To take part in the race, each entrant must pick a police officer from their force to ride in memory of and it was here that he heard about Gwent PC Terry Davies for the first time.

“At the start of the ride, I was given an arm band engraved with the name of the fallen officer and the date he passed away,” he said.

“Throughout the ride I couldn’t help but think about who Terry was, how he had sadly left us and how his family were dealing with life without him.

“It also made me think about how any one of my old colleagues could be ‘Terry’ – how every day they put their life on the line.

“The culmination of the ride was one of the most intensely emotional experiences of my life.”

Following the event, he was put in touch with family of Mr Davies including his wife Jayne and handed over an engraved arm band and jersey to his two daughters Rebecca and Lowri.

Six months on, Lowri has graduated as a Gwent Police officer, has taken part in her passing out parade and is based in Alway.

“Policing is obviously in the genes for Lowri and I have no doubt that, based on what I have learned about Terry, she will be a fantastic addition to the force,” Mr Askew added.

Terry Davies joined the police force in December 1982. He and his wife Jayne married in 1985.

When Terryhe died, the couple had one daughter Rebecca and his wife was expecting their second child, who would later be named Lowri.

This year’s Police Unity Tour will take place between July 28 and July 30.

To support Mr Scott’s charity drive or more information on Care of Police Survivors or the unity tour, visit his fundraising page: justgiving.com/fundraising/scott-askew1