Charity founder Gary Craig awarded an MBE
2 July 2025

In December 2024, the trustees of Thin Blue Line UK were ecstatic to learn that its founder, Dr. Gary Craig had been awarded an MBE for his Public and Charitable Services in the 2025 New Years Honours by his Majesty King Charles III.


Gary established the charity in 2012 and since then has worked tirelessly to lead Thin Blue Line UK to the success it is today, it is only right that he was recognised for this hard work and dedication to his role. Gary travelled down to London with his family to receive his MBE on Friday 27th June 2025 from HRH the Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace.


After receiving his award Gary explained how he felt...

"I am so delighted to finally be able to talk about this, to say that this came as an absolute shock is an understatement. I cannot express in words how humbled I am that this has happened, and I want to take this opportunity to say a few thanks.


The charity would simply not exist without the dedication and passion of all the trustees, Andrea, Beverley, Lisa, Jack and Tony thank you for your belief and for what you bring to the team. To my wife Linda and family who must put up with the madness that comes with being married to me - I am forever grateful. To my colleagues and Senior Management Team within PSNI thank you for your support and for belief in what we are trying to do.


The charity means so much to me and I truly hope that this honour helps open doors, enables conversations to take place and ultimately raises the profile of the Thin Blue Line UK, which I hope with all my heart means that we can help more officers. Policing is an incredibly difficult role and there is so much pressure on officers who simply want to do their best and help others. They see things that will stay with them forever and this can have a massive impact on their personal happiness and mental health. We want to give officers the confidence to reach out, ask for help and get it when they need it. We hope that as we move through 2025, we will be able to offer more to those who need it and continue to look out for those who are brave enough to wear the uniform".


From us all here at Thin Blue Line UK congratulations Gary! We are so happy you have been recognised for your hard work and dedication to the thin blue line and know you had an amazing time receiving your award, well done!

Thin Blue Line UK thanks Bournemouth International and Neurodiverse Friends for their Generous Donation

by Jack Woodward • 5 December 2025
Thin Blue Line UK is delighted to express heartfelt thanks to Bournemouth International and Neurodiverse Friends for their incredible support and donation of £312.17. Although not a formal organisation or charity, Bournemouth International and Neurodiverse Friends is a passionate group of volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting those who feel isolated or simply need someone to talk to. Their outreach, especially within the academic community, is driven entirely by faith and conviction, with no financial overheads, just a commitment to making a difference. This month, the group chose to collect donations for Thin Blue Line UK , combining contributions from their supporters with a surplus fund. Their decision to support us stems from a meaningful encounter in November 2022, when they met a police officer at a Community Contact Point in Bournemouth Town Centre. During that conversation, the officer shared his personal struggle: his daughter had recently been diagnosed with autism and was being referred to a SEN school. The uncertainty had taken a toll on his family’s mental health. Through sharing stories and offering reassurance, Bournemouth International and Neurodiverse Friends gave that officer hope—hope that his daughter could thrive and succeed despite her diagnosis. That moment of connection inspired their ongoing commitment to raising awareness and supporting the policing community. Jack Woodward, Trustee of Thin Blue Line UK , said “ Receiving donations from groups such as Bournemouth International and Neurodiverse Friends is so important as they enable our charity to continue to provide mental health and wellbeing support to officers right across the UK. Within the last year, we have enabled opportunities for officers to attend wellbeing retreats, participate in International Police Week in Denmark, and we have signposted officers almost daily to online therapy support, which is fully funded by the charity via THRIVE ”. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and the spirit of compassion that drives their work. Donations like these help Thin Blue Line UK continue its mission to support the mental health and wellbeing of those who serve and protect. Thank you, Bournemouth International and Neurodiverse Friends, for standing with us and making a real difference.
TBLUK Ball 12

Thin Blue Line UK Gala Ball raises an incredible £23,000 for supporting Police Officers in their Mental Health & Wellbeing

by Jack Woodward • 29 November 2025
Our spectacular annual Thin Blue Line UK Gala Ball was held at Titanic Belfast on Saturday 29th November 2025 and following the event we are pleased to announce that the charity has raised an impressive £23,000 to support the mental health and wellbeing of police officers across the UK! To say we are moved as a charity is an understatement! This will now allow us to continue our work and enable us to provide help to officers when it is needed most. The event brought together 400 guests from Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Denmark, the United States, and beyond, showcasing the strength and unity of the global policing family. The evening was a celebration of resilience and community, featuring a keynote address from Hannah Bailey of Blue Light Wellbeing, whose powerful words captivated the audience. Speaking after Hannah’s speech, one guest, Adam from England, said “The keynote speech really hit home. Mental health support for officers is something we all need to champion”. In addition during the evening an anonymous officer who attended one of the Blue Light Wellbeing retreats shared “Thank you, Thin Blue Line UK , for funding my place and giving me the chance to step away, reset, and reconnect. The Blue Light Wellbeing retreat was a gift I didn’t know I needed. I’ve come away with renewed balance and resilience. Your charity, working with the incredible Hannah Bailey, has created something truly special. As a serving officer, thank you for supporting my mental health and the wellbeing of my colleagues and me”. Key sponsors GEOAMEY and GCM Security played a vital role in making the event possible. Following the event, Jon White, CEO of GCM Security said “My dedication to Thin Blue Line UK will never waver; it means so much to me and my colleagues”. The event was hosted by Paul Clarke of UTV, with entertainment provided by The Bizz, ensuring guests enjoyed a lively and memorable night. Guests were treated to a stunning cake by Haley from The Busy Whisk Bakery and professional photography by Phil McIntosh Photography & Videography. During the event, Haley told guests “Donating a cake to the charity feels like such a small gesture compared to what they’ve done for me. Thin Blue Line UK gave me hope when I had none, and for that, I’ll always be deeply grateful”. Guests also took part in a fantastic raffle and auction, winning and bidding on amazing gifts and items, alongside contributions from Thin Blue Line Denmark, UK Cop Humour, and many others; including a special thank you for the Police Service of Northern Ireland whose Chief Officers and policing teams attended, along with their Pipe Band to make the evening truly magical. During the evening, Paul Clarke led a poignant moment of silence to honour officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty—both recently and in the past—reminding attendees of the sacrifices made by those who serve. The funds raised will help the charity continue its mission to provide essential support for officers facing mental health challenges. Michael, an officer from Northern Ireland, said “The atmosphere was electric, but the moment of silence reminded us why we were there. It was deeply moving”. Looking ahead to next year, Rachel a guest from Scotland, said “It was an unforgettable night. Seeing so many people come together for such an important cause was truly inspiring. I’m really hoping the charity brings their next ball to Scotland. Edinburgh was incredible, but Thin Blue Line UK has grown so much since then, and we are extremely excited to see how they continue to grow in the years to come”. Thanking the guests at the end of the event, the Thin Blue Line UK charity trustees said “By attending our ball, you’ve helped us raise vital funds, allowing us to continue supporting the positive mental health and wellbeing of officers across the UK. We hope you’ve had a fabulous evening, and please remember that our ball tonight isn’t just a celebration of the work of our charity—it’s a lifeline. Together, we can make a positive difference for those who protect us.” The charities annual Gala Balls are a key way in which key funding is raised to enable the charity to continue its important work, please keep an eye on the charities website for further information as Thin Blue Line UK looks forwards to planning its next ball in 2026, in a location yet to be confirmed!