Pc Leon McLeod, who received the Queen’s Gallantry Medal as a result of his actions during the London Bridge terrorist attack in 2017, is competing in this year’s London Marathon. He is running on behalf of PTSD999, an organisation dedicated to assisting those affected by Post Traumatic Stress in the Emergency Services and Military.
“On Saturday 3rd June 2017 my life and career changed in a way I could never have prepared for.
While on a foot patrol with my colleague, we stepped into a situation that I can hardly find the right words to explain as the atrocities of the London Bridge and Borough Market attack began to unfold.
Although I didn’t sustain the physical injuries or worse that so many others unfortunately did, the events have no doubt left their mark.
I know for certain that many of my colleagues and fellow members of the blue light family that responded to calls for assistance have been affected, but while this event was above and beyond the norm, emergency services personnel are faced with traumatic events on a daily basis all over the country. The atrocities at Grenfell and the terror attacks in London and Manchester in 2017 only serve to highlight this.
We’re only human, but yet we all come back in day after day to do it all again never knowing what’s around the corner.
Clearly though there’s only so much a person can take, and it seems that only recently attention has really been paid to mental health and wellbeing. No matter how big or small, things will always leave a mark.
So where am I going with this? Well I have been fortunate enough to secure a spot in the 2019 London Marathon and knew from the start that I wanted to run for someone that really meant something to me and to hopefully make a difference to people.”
Leon McLeod
Those wishing to donate to Leon’s fund raising efforts can go to his Just Giving page.
Links:
BTP officers honoured for heroic actions during London Bridge terrorist attack
Gallantry Roll of Honour Plaque
Honours, Medals and Decorations table