News

Alongside the many injured officers who seek support from the Police Dependants’ Trust are those families who are trying to come to terms with the death of a loved one.

Perviz Ahmed, who was known as Paj to his family and friends, was travelling home after his shift when he was involved in a collision. Despite the best efforts of medical staff he sadly died as a result of his injuries.

Rita Bhogal met Paj when they were studying at university. The couple later had a son, Aaron.

“To a certain degree I still expect Paj to come home…and I think that might stay with me for some time. For about three or four months [Aaron] would be looking for Paj and saying ‘Dada’. That was really difficult.”

Rita didn’t know much about the Police Dependants’ Trust until a representative of the Police Federation made her aware of the support available. The Trust has given Rita grants to help relieve some of the financial pressures that can arise when a loved one dies.

“With me not having a job at the moment and concentrating just on life with me and Aaron…it’s meant I haven’t had to worry. I’ve just needed to worry about how, emotionally, we get through this as a family.”