Thin Blue Line UK Gala Ball raises an incredible £23,000 for supporting Police Officers in their Mental Health & Wellbeing
29 November 2025
The trustees of Thin Blue Line UK are truly moved by the generosity of the thin blue line community for helping raise such an amazing amount for the charity.
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!
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.
Thin Blue Line UK is proud to announce a heartfelt new partnership with Bluelight Consultancy, led by its founder and director, Brendan O’Brien. In a generous and deeply compassionate move, Brendan has nominated Thin Blue Line UK as Bluelight Consultancy’s chosen charity. Following thoughtful conversations between Brendan and the Trustees of Thin Blue Line UK, this partnership will now enable five additional serving or former police officers to attend the transformative Bluelight Retreat every year, led by the inspirational Hannah Bailey. A former police officer herself, Hannah is now a highly qualified therapist whose tireless dedication to the wellbeing of those who serve the thin blue line to protect their communities is nothing short of extraordinary. She is joined by Andy Labrum, a retired dog sergeant and expert in guiding officers through career transition and change management. Together, they deliver a retreat experience that is both healing and empowering. The impact of these retreats is profound, and here at Thin Blue Line UK, we firmly believe in the benefits they offer to the officers who attend. This is clearly reflected in the words of an officer who recently took part in a retreat: “This weekend has changed me; I can feel it already... I would like to thank the Thin Blue Line UK for providing me with this opportunity. It really did feel like a thank you for your service.” “Some of these people have become my best friends. The information, the activities, the shared stories – it was life-changing.” These testimonies capture the essence of what Thin Blue Line UK and Bluelight Consultancy are striving for: real, lasting support for officers who give so much of themselves in the line of duty. At Thin Blue Line UK, we are continually humbled by the generosity of those who support our mission. This partnership with Bluelight Consultancy not only represents a financial commitment but a genuine recognition of the service and sacrifice of our police officers. We extend our deepest thanks to Brendan and the entire Bluelight Consultancy team for their belief in our cause and their unwavering compassion for the policing community. Together, we are helping more officers find rest, reflection, and the resilience to move forward.
