LOVED BEYOND WORDS… TODAY THEY SAY THEIR FINAL GOODBYE..! – Family breaks silence as A66 crash officer PC Matthew Blades is laid to rest
Police officer killed in A66 crash who was ‘loved beyond words’ to be laid to rest today
Ahead of PC Matthew Blades’ funeral, Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation, said that the outpouring of grief for the two officers who died on the A66 showed ‘how much they were loved’
PC Blades, 37, died alongside his colleague PC Tom Clough, 38, when their armed response vehicle was struck head-on at high speed by a VW Passat containing five youths. PC Blades, who had two sons aged six and eight, was part of Cleveland Police’s Matrix team of responders.
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PC Matthew Blades will be laid to rest today(Image: PA)
The family of fallen A66 police officer Matthew Blades paid an emotional tribute to him today as they prepared to lay him to rest.
Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation said that the outpouring of grief and support for the two officers showed ‘how much they were loved’. She said: “There’s been over £1.2 million raised for Matt and Tom’s families, which is overwhelming, and a great show of support.
“There have been comments on Facebook, we’ve had flowers delivered to our stations. People have been in touch from Australia, France, America – the support has been overwhelming, and it’s been comforting.”
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Cleveland Police Federation chair Lauren Somerville said the families of two police officers killed in a head-on collision on the A66 have been given “overwhelming” support from around the world.(Image: Tom Wilkinson/PA Wire)
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She added that it reflected the public’s thoughts on policing and gave an insight into the thoughts of his bereaved family. She said: “Matty was described as a best friend, a father, a brother and a son. And there are no words powerful enough to describe exactly how the family feels. He was the heart of the family, and he will be loved beyond words, today, tomorrow and always.
“He would have been so incredibly proud and thankful for all the love and support that has been given to the family. He is going to be missed more than words can ever say. His laughter and silly jokes made them smile even when they least expected it. He was a joker who brought light and laughter into every room. And now life feels unbearably quiet without him.”
She added that there was a “huge sense of pride, honour, and duty among Cleveland Police and officers across the country.” Ms Somerville, who will be attending the funeral in Hartlepool, added: “It is there especially those who knew and loved and worked with Matthew and Tom. They will be standing shoulder to shoulder for Matthew and Tom and the rest of the country will be with them as well.”
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PC Tom Clough, who died alongside PC Matthew Blades on the A66 near Middlesbrough
Ms Somerville said Cleveland Police has been supported by other forces in the aftermath of the crash and investigations into wider organised crime. She said: “I knew that they would come to help us, that they would be honoured to come and help us at this time.
“Not just police officers, but the federation, there have been people desperate to come here and wrap their arms around us.”
A football club has changed a team’s name in honour of PC Blades, their former coach. He was a much-loved coach at FC Hartlepool and in a lasting tribute to him the club has changed one of the team’s names.
At the weekend the FC Blades – formerly FC U10 Reds – took to the pitch as the new season got under way. The club said PC Blades would forever be part of FC Hartlepool.
A spokesperson added: “Some things in football mean far more than the result. The FC U10 Reds have changed their name to FC Blades in tribute to coach Matt, whose influence on the team and everyone around it will never be forgotten.
“It marked the beginning of that new chapter, with The Blades taking the pitch for the first time under their new name. And the boys started the season brightly, winning their opening game by playing some good football. A new name and a new season, but one that will always carry Matt’s influence and memory with it. FC Blades.”Before his police career he was a teacher at Carmel College, a Roman Catholic secondary school and sixth form in Darlington, County Durham. A public fundraiser for the two officers raised its target of £1.2m to be shared between their two families.
