Collin Poole of Stoke on Trent is nine years old - Polypipe

COLLIN POOLE’S WISH – TO BE A POLICEMANDAY ONE!<strong>Collin</strong> <strong>Poole</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Stoke</strong> on Trent is nine years old. <strong>Collin</strong> was just 22 months old whenhe was first diagnosed with a brain tumour. He is doing well at the moment but thecondition, metastiatic meduloblastoma, is very unpredictable and the future for himand his family is uncertain.When <strong>Collin</strong> told Starlight Children's Foundation that he wished to be a policeman, hehad no idea what would be in store from him when he travelled down to London tohave his wish granted.<strong>Collin</strong> was accompanied by his sisters, Victoria and Samantha, and his parents, Zoëand <strong>Collin</strong> Senior.The morning <strong>of</strong> his wish, <strong>Collin</strong> and his family were met in their hotel by Claire Limbrey and Laura Smith <strong>of</strong>Starlight, and by APS Richard Holliday from the Metropolitan Police Commissioners Office. Richard camewell equipped with a made-to-measure Metropolitan Police uniform for <strong>Collin</strong>. Over 15 measurements hadbeen taken to get it right (which <strong>Collin</strong> had thought was for a new school uniform!).Out on patrol in the van, Harry the Dog was spottedhanging out with some mates near the training centre’sskid pan – a concrete bowl with a covering <strong>of</strong> petrol andwater where recruits learn to control a skidding vehicle.From there a very exciting chase took place, with plenty<strong>of</strong> screeching tyres and much shouting from Harry,“you’ll never catch me!”. <strong>Collin</strong> was hot on his tail andshouting, “I’m going to get you”. The arrest <strong>of</strong> Harry theDog happened soon after, but Harry’s accomplice gotaway. From there the police dog demonstrated just howsensitive its nose really is, tracking the baddy to hishiding place. The baddy tried to do a second runner butwas quickly caught by the dog and <strong>Collin</strong> was able toarrest him.<strong>Collin</strong> and his family were driven up to Hendon, home <strong>of</strong> the Hendon PoliceCollege where all Metropolitan Police <strong>of</strong>ficers start their training.Once <strong>Collin</strong> had had a quick stop for a little tea and breakfast, he was swornin the college’s law court reading the words: “I promise that I will truly servethe Queen as a Junior Constable. I will treat people with fairness, honestyand respect. I will help the police when asked and help stop the baddieswinning. I will do all <strong>of</strong> this to the best <strong>of</strong> my ability. As a Junior Constable, Ipromise to keep my room tidy always and do as my mum and dad tell mebecause they know best.”It was then <strong>of</strong>f for the morning’s briefing. The day’s objective was to keep aneye out for renowned criminal Harry the Dog, who had recently committed aburglary. PC <strong>Collin</strong> <strong>Poole</strong> was immediately nicknamed by his fellowcolleagues – as PC <strong>Poole</strong>y!Following strict policing procedures, <strong>Collin</strong> took Harry to the training centre’s police station and there madestatements about the mornings events, took Harry’s fingerprints and locked him up until his trial.Patron: HRH Princess AlexandraStarlight Children's Foundation Macmillan House Paddington Station London W2 1HDTel: 020 7262 2881 Fax: 020 7402 7403 Email: info@starlight.org.uk Website: www.starlight.org.ukCharity Reg Number: 296058 Registered in England and Wales Company Reg Number: 2038895

In court, <strong>Collin</strong> took bravely to the witness stand to giveevidence against Harry the Dog. The judge looked <strong>Collin</strong>sternly in the eye, “How long have you been a Junior PoliceConstable?”. <strong>Collin</strong> replied, “5 hours”. The evidence againstHarry the Dog was pretty damning and soon the case wasconcluded. There was an outburst from the Defendant… hecouldn’t help but stand up and say that he’d been on the runfor weeks, and he’s never seen such brilliant police work orsuch a great constable as PC<strong>Collin</strong> <strong>Poole</strong>! <strong>Collin</strong> beamed fromear to ear. Even the baddy wasimpressed!DAY TWO!The excitement wasn’t over yet for <strong>Collin</strong>. He was visited by the helicopterbranch <strong>of</strong> the Metropolitan police who showed him round the cockpit <strong>of</strong> thehelicopter and taught him all they knew!The day’s events were finished <strong>of</strong>f with a presentation from Chief Inspector NickBatt, head <strong>of</strong> training at Hendon in front <strong>of</strong> all the centre’s recruits. CI Battbestowed the highest honour that can be given to a new recruit on <strong>Collin</strong> – thebaton <strong>of</strong> honour. The hall was filled with cheers and many a tear was shed bythe family and recruits alike.In order to experience as many policing disciplines as possible, <strong>Collin</strong>was now treated to a trip to Imber Court in Surrey to the MetropolitanPolice Mounted Branch training centre. At Imber Court, horses (andriders) receive extensive training so they are ready for the many rolesthey will need to carry out. At first, <strong>Collin</strong> wasn’t sure he could handlethe smell <strong>of</strong> the horses but his nose soon got used to it and he lovedmeeting them! <strong>Collin</strong> and Victoria even took part in a horse’s training.They waved large flags, blew on theirpolice whistles, and used a smokemachine to expose the horse to thepossible noises experienced on thestreet! The centre’s farrier made <strong>Collin</strong>a horseshoe the traditional way and thevet showed everyone x-rays <strong>of</strong> thehorses. To top it all, the family wereable, one by one, to ride a beautifulhorse called Wellard who has takenpart in many a ceremony as wellpreviously being seriously injured onfront line duty.Next, <strong>Collin</strong> was <strong>of</strong>f to 10 DowningStreet. Apart from his size, <strong>Collin</strong> fittedin perfectly and showed his fellow police <strong>of</strong>ficers outside the house hiswarrant card!Patron: HRH Princess AlexandraStarlight Children's Foundation Macmillan House Paddington Station London W2 1HDTel: 020 7262 2881 Fax: 020 7402 7403 Email: info@starlight.org.uk Website: www.starlight.org.ukCharity Reg Number: 296058 Registered in England and Wales Company Reg Number: 2038895

From there <strong>Collin</strong> and his family were welcomed in for a private tour,which started with the fascinating history <strong>of</strong> the Cabinet Room. Therethe family were joined by Cherie Booth QC. <strong>Collin</strong> proudly showed herthe criminal he had arrested the day before (Harry the Dog) and told herto keep an eye out for him just in case he escaped. The Prime Ministerthen popped out from his meeting to say hello to the MetropolitanPolice’s youngest ever Police Constable. PC <strong>Poole</strong> became a little shyand hid behind his mum. Mr Blair said that his son Leo would be just asshy and told <strong>Collin</strong> that he was not to worry!The family were taken up the iconic staircase,followed by the eyes <strong>of</strong> the previous primeministers, to a beautiful room where they hadtea with Mrs Blair. The <strong>Poole</strong>’s were keen to ask how normal the Blairs’ livescould be and asked about security and what the family will be doing next.After tea, the tour continued, through 10 Downing Street’s beautiful rooms.Finally, Mr Blair showed much kindness: PC <strong>Poole</strong> had become much braver andnow wished to have his picture taken with the Prime Minister.Mr Blair kindly came out <strong>of</strong> his meeting and posed for a photograph with <strong>Collin</strong>.Just when the Prime Minister thought the photographic session had ended, <strong>Collin</strong>borrowed the photographer’s camera and took his own photo <strong>of</strong> Mr Blair. The PMsaid he thought it very good and promised to sign a printed version!Finally, in New Scotland Yard, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir IanBlair, questioned his newest and youngest recruit. He was impressed by <strong>Collin</strong>’sarrest and heard about all that <strong>Collin</strong> had been up to. He presented everyone inthe <strong>Poole</strong> family with their own gift and posed for one final photograph with JPC<strong>Collin</strong> <strong>Poole</strong>. It was a dream come true for <strong>Collin</strong> and his family.Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said, “The Metropolitan PoliceService is very proud <strong>of</strong> our youngest ever 'recruit' Junior PC <strong>Collin</strong> <strong>Poole</strong>. In just twodays with us he displayed impressive skills in arrest and wore his uniform with pride. Ihave every confidence that JPC <strong>Poole</strong> will perform to the best <strong>of</strong> his ability his pledge tohelp the police and stop the bad guys winning and I know my <strong>of</strong>ficers enjoyed working withthe <strong>Poole</strong> family and Starlight to make <strong>Collin</strong>'s dream <strong>of</strong> being a police <strong>of</strong>ficer come true."<strong>Collin</strong>’s dad said, “<strong>Collin</strong> was diagnosed at 22 months and has been through a lotduring the last seven years. Given everything he has had to suffer, his Starlight wishhas made a real difference. The wish gave him something to look forward to and reallyhelped him get through his treatment and illness. The wish itself was magnificent andsuch a boost. We are still buzzing. We see in <strong>Collin</strong>’s eyes how much it has brightened uphis life. We’ve really noticed a big difference in him already. It’s amazing. Plus, without adoubt, he’s the boss now! We took him into school in his uniform this afternoon and heloved showing the photos and himself <strong>of</strong>f to friends and teachers! He’s just over themoon. And it’s all thanks to Starlight, Sir Ian Blair and the Metropolitan Police, MrsBlair and the Prime Minister.”Patron: HRH Princess AlexandraStarlight Children's Foundation Macmillan House Paddington Station London W2 1HDTel: 020 7262 2881 Fax: 020 7402 7403 Email: info@starlight.org.uk Website: www.starlight.org.ukCharity Reg Number: 296058 Registered in England and Wales Company Reg Number: 2038895