Hunters supports the launch of Wounded Blue Line charity
We are delighted to announce the successful registration of Wounded Blue Line, a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which has been entered on the Register of Charities under Registered Charity Number 1218577.
Founded by Claire Bond, Wounded Blue Line has been established to support serving and former police officers, emergency service personnel and their families following physical injury, long-term illness or psychological trauma arising from service. Hunters worked closely with the founding trustees throughout the registration process, providing legal advice and support to help bring the charity to life.
The charity was created in response to the significant challenges faced by those injured while protecting their communities. It also recognises the wider impact that service-related injury and trauma can have on spouses, partners, children and other dependants, whose lives are often profoundly affected.
Claire commented: “When I returned to work in 2019, I felt incredibly isolated. There was no forum available for injured police officers, and I simply wanted to speak to someone who understood what my family and I were going through. Between 2019 and 2024, I faced significant physical and mental health challenges. The support I received from family, friends and colleagues helped me access practical assistance, but it also highlighted how little support existed for the children and families of injured emergency service workers. That realisation inspired me to create the Wounded Blue Line.
“With my vision, passion and lived experience, together with the support, expertise and encouragement of Dominik Opaliński and the Charity team at Hunters, I began to see how that vision could become a reality. Their professionalism, patience and meticulous attention to detail gave me confidence throughout the process and helped turn what once seemed like an impossible ambition into an established charity. Receiving confirmation from the Charity Commission that the Wounded Blue Line had been registered was one of the proudest moments of my life since retiring through ill health in 2024. It has given me a renewed sense of purpose, and I am immensely grateful to Hunters for helping transform an idea into a unique registered charity that I hope will make a lasting difference to emergency service workers and their families. I truly believe the Wounded Blue Line can become an important part of the recovery journey for those who dedicate their lives to protecting others. As the saying goes, 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’.”
Dominik Opaliński, Head of our Governance, Safeguarding and Charity department stated:
“Wounded Blue Line is an excellent example of what can be achieved where vision is matched by determination, strong governance and a clear charitable purpose. Police officers and emergency service personnel dedicate their careers to protecting our communities, often at considerable personal cost. For many, that service leaves lasting physical or psychological injuries, with profound consequences not only for them but also for the families who stand beside them every step of the way.
“To the best of our knowledge, Wounded Blue Line is the first registered charity established specifically to support police officers and emergency service personnel whose service has left them physically or psychologically wounded. It reflects the very best of the charity sector; identifying an unmet need, bringing people together behind a shared purpose, and creating an organisation capable of making a lasting and meaningful difference. We are immensely proud to have played a part in helping bring this important charity into existence and wish the trustees every success as they begin this exciting new chapter."
The charity will have the ability to provide support, education, guidance, research, training and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing and resilience of those affected by service-related injury and trauma.
Press about the launch:
- Police Life [external link].
