Fund for injured policeman (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Fund for injured policeman

9:50am Thursday 1st March 2007 in Swindon By Gordon Simpson

A charity fund for well-loved Highworth police officer Martin Miles has been set up, after he lost his leg in a horrific accident last week.

The 48-year-old Highworth community beat officer was riding a motorbike when it was in an accident with a Nissan 4x4 on Thursday night on the B4019 near Blunsdon.

PC Miles, who is married with two children, is still in intensive care.

He has undergone operations and doctors hope to be able to save his injured arm.

PC Miles has given more than 29 years of service to the police force.

The fundraising group met at The Globe pub on Tuesday night to discuss how best to set up the fund.

Close friend and Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Pat Willis is chairman of the group.

He said the response from people in Highworth had been incredible.

"We've been inundated and I think it's going to do extremely well," he said.

Mr Willis said it was a gut-wrenching moment when he was told of the news.

"The shock wave that has gone through Highworth is phenomenal," he said.

"It's like somebody has given you a thump in the stomach. It's like somebody has died.

"It's almost like a family member has been hurt.

"The best way I can put it is that it's a Highworth family member that's been hurt.

"It's such a close-knit community here and Martin was really taken under the wing of Highworth.

"Thank God he's still with us, because it could have been a lot worse.

"He's a fighter and if anyone can come through this then Martin will.

"We have had youngsters coming up to us in the street asking if there's anything they can do. That's the level of impact he has had.

"As a police officer and friend, he's a great bloke and I am proud to know the man. My heart goes out to him and his family."

Mr Willis said anyone who would like to send a card to PC Miles and his family should drop them off at Highworth Police Station.

Exact details of how to donate to the fund have not yet been released.

Details will be posted at www.gazetteandherald.co.uk as soon as they are known.