Richard Brown
I retired from the Met in 2016. I became a detective in 1992 and much of my service involved proactive covert policing; ending in a very happy and very fulfilling role as a DS on Trident Proactive. I ‘returned’ to the Met in 2017 and am currently employed as a civilian investigator within Specialist Crime conducting enquiries in relation to firearms and shootings in north London. Old dog new tricks springs to mind…
My family began its journey with Neuroblastoma in 2005 when our youngest child, Jack aged 3, was diagnosed with the high risk form of the cancer. Jack began and underwent treatment at Great Ormond Street and University College London Hospitals for a year. That year changed a lot. Jack survived with great fortitude and humour but his prognosis was bleak. At that time he had exhausted all therapies in the UK. We took the decision to try new treatments in the USA. With immense support from family, friends and our colleagues in the Met we successfully gathered funds to allow the doctors in New York and Vermont to help Jack. We instigated a charity to allow for the generosity we received to continue: Joining Against cancer in Kids, [J-A-C-K].
An entity that was born in support of our son is now known as Jack’s Pack. From small beginnings it now manifests itself as the annual New York fund raising trip. Over the years the Pack’s efforts have raised hundreds and hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Jack finally fell to the disease on 2nd May 2009.
But, since that time your efforts and your funds have helped families and children fighting Neuroblastoma. The money you raise has also provided enormous financial leverage to doctors and research scientists finding new ways to fight the cancer. The need for better therapies is still urgent but the Pack’s efforts ensure a way forwards; you fuel HOPE.
