Party for the 'nicest bobby' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Party for the 'nicest bobby'

8:54am Friday 23rd March 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

A huge street party is being planned to raise funds for the popular police officer who lost his leg in a motorbike accident.

Committee members of the Martin Miles Appeal Fund hope to close the market square in Highworth for an evening of entertainment for all the family.

Among the ideas to come out of last night's committee meeting at The Globe pub were a selection of bands, karaoke, street stalls, a hog roast, a raffle and children's fair.

At present the committee has pencilled in Saturday, June 2 for the fundraising spectacular, subject to approval from the council.

The committee hopes to attract local celebrities to officially open the party and is aiming to raise enough money to buy PC Miles a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg.

Pat Willis, chairman of the Martin Miles Appeal Fund, said: "The idea for the street party came out of the last committee meeting.

advertisement "We were trying to work out what we could do to encourage all the residents to come along to and show their support for Martin.

"This seemed like the obvious fundraiser and, if it's successful, it could become an annual event.

"Highworth is a community and it needs the community support brought back into the town. We want to involve everybody in Highworth to take part."

PC Miles was injured while riding home along the B4019 towards the A419 when he collided with a 4x4 vehicle on February 22.

He has given nearly 30 years' service to the Swindon area and has been described as the perfect bobby by Highworth residents.

The 48-year-old, who is married with two young children, was reported to be in good spirits by friends earlier this week having been in intensive care, but he may face further surgery on his injured leg. So far the appeal fund, which has applied for charity status, has raised around £2,500.

As reported yesterday, the fund received a welcome boost following a donation from The Fishes pub landlord Bertie York.

Mr York, who donated £1,000, had been arrested three times by PC Miles in the past, but said he had not met a nicer police officer.

Donations to the appeal fund can be made at any branch of the Stroud & Swindon Building Society. The sort code is 404321, the account number is 91199501 and the bank reference number is S3397390.