This June sees the return of 'Light the Lakes', a fundraising event for the charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS).

It supports families of police officers who sacrificed their lives in serving their communities and sees the 214 Wainwright Peaks 'sold' to groups to climb and light flares in their memory at 3.00am in the morning.

Join together

Last year players from the City of Birmingham Band took part and alongside musicians from eight brass bands scaled Loughrigg Fell, stopping at Rydal Cave to play under conductor James Wykes to the officers from Cambridge Police who were accompanying them.

On their return to base they gave an afternoon concert at the family fun day that followed at Brathay Hall.

The band returns on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th June and are looking for volunteers to join them. 36 musicians from 14 bands have already signed up but they are still in need of more brass and percussion players, especially for Saturday afternoon.

The band feel enormously privileged to be asked to join the party this year and be part of their celebration of lifeCity of Birmingham Band

Celebration of life

A spokesperson told 4BR: "This year we will be joining the Speakman party on their ascent to honour the memories of father and son officers, Don and Jonny Speakman. Jonny lost his life rescuing children from a dangerous rip tide, and Don walked 'Light the Lakes' every year until he died two years ago, aged 72.

The band feel enormously privileged to be asked to join the party this year and be part of their celebration of life."

4BR was informed that the massed band components have been designed to be as accommodating as possible with coordinators recognising that not all elements will be appealing or accessible to everyone.

Sign up and information:

As such, musicians are welcome to sign up to as many or as few parts of the event as they would like via simple online form: https://forms.office.com/r/JPamrGLzhr

For further information contact: LightTheLakes@birminghambrass.co.uk