Charity 'humbled' to support PC's bereaved family

A charity has said it is "humbled" to be able to help the family of an off-duty police officer who died when she was hit by a vehicle while helping at the scene of a crash.

PC Rosie Prior, 45, had stopped on the verge of the A19 in North Yorkshire at about 08:55 GMT on 11 January to help driver Ryan Welford when they were both struck by a lorry and killed. A teenage boy suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Patrick Cairns, from the Police Children's Charity, said following PC Prior's "dreadful" death, her sons would receive regular grants from the organisation until they were 25.

PC Prior's funeral is due to be held at York Minster later, with about 800 people expected to attend.

Mr Cairns explained that the Police Children's Charity supported the children of police officers who had died or taken taken retirement due to ill health.

The families of police staff qualified for the charity's support if - as PC Prior had done - they had donated £1.50 a month during their working life, according to Mr Cairns.

"It doesn't replace Rosie - everyone wishes she was still here. But we are humbled to be able to support the boys up to the age of 25," he said.

"We have about 300 beneficiaries for the charity. We spent over £800,000 supporting those beneficiaries last year."

Mr Cairns said he was unsurprised that PC Prior had stepped in to help someone in distress on the morning she died.

"I think it's ingrained in all police officers to think of others," he said.

PC Prior's family had asked for donations to the Police Children's Charity to be made by people attending the funeral at York Minster and a fundraising page had also been set up, Mr Cairns said.

The charity was "really grateful" to her family for this, he said.

"The foremost feeling is humble at a time of unimaginable heartbreak and tragedy for the family that they thought how they can help other children."

Mr Cairns said he would be attending Thursday's funeral service for PC Prior.

"It's a time when policing can show solidarity and support for Rosie, honour her and respect her, and show that love and respect for Rosie's family."

North Yorkshire Police said PC Prior's funeral service, part of a full ceremonial police funeral, was due to start at about 11:00 GMT.

It would be a ticketed event limited to the officer's family, friends and colleagues within the police force.

While members of the public would not be able to enter the minster for the service, they were welcome to line the route the funeral cortege would take on Duncombe Place, a force spokesperson said.

The service would also be live-streamed on the Minster's YouTube channel.

A 65-year-old lorry driver from Berwick-upon-Tweed was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the fatal crash and was released under investigation.

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