Two Staffordshire Police officers travelled to the Netherlands to take part in a special event for children in hospital.

The annual Blue Light Ride, organised to mark the 75th anniversary of the International Police Association (IPA), took place on Wednesday 10 December.

Hundreds of emergency service vehicles joined the procession from Toverland in Sevenum to VieCuri Medical Centre in Venlo.

PC Chris Bagnall and Chief Inspector Scott McGrath, from the Road Crime Team (RCT), self-funded the trip to join colleagues from across the globe to light up the streets outside the hospital.

PC Bagnall said: "We started our journey at 4.30am on Tuesday 9 December, when we set off from our base in Doxey to Folkestone.

"The looks we got at the Channel Tunnel terminal were priceless – most people had never seen a fully-marked, albeit non-operational, police vehicle boarding a train to Europe.

"When we arrived in Venlo, after a journey of 485 miles, a Dutch police Volkswagen pulled in front of us – it was the first time I had been stopped by the police!

"Once we explained what we were doing, we were waved on with smiles."

PC Chris Bagnall and Chief Inspector Scott McGrath, from the Road Crime Team (RCT), self-funded the trip (image via Staffordshire Police)

The officers then received bespoke preparatory training and met international policing colleagues, before the scene was set for the Blue Light Ride.

"What followed was breath-taking," PC Bagnall added.

"The roads of the villages we passed through were lined with waving families.

"There were miles of blue lights stretching ahead and behind us, as far as the eye could see, with a low-flying police helicopter circling above.

"Then police boats were sounding their horns as we crossed the bridge over the River Meuse. It was impossible not to feel emotional.

"At the hospital, the lights and sirens erupted one final time, before falling silent.

"Looking up at children and families watching from balconies made every obstacle, every sleepless night of planning, completely worth it.

"Then, we visited the children's ward, delivering gifts donated by JCB in Uttoxeter and Christmas cards made by children in Staffordshire.

"It was an experience that I'll cherish for the rest of my life."

The officers then received bespoke preparatory training and met international policing colleagues before taking part in the Blue Light Ride (image via Staffordshire Police)

Chief Inspector McGrath added: "The Netherlands Blue Light Ride gave us a great platform to represent Staffordshire Police and share some of the capabilities of our Road Crime Team alongside international colleagues.

"Thanks to the support of local businesses and supporters, and the generous use of the INEOS Grenadier police specification demonstrator vehicle, we were able to showcase modern UK policing, which certainly turned some heads.

"Visiting the hospital and meeting the children and hard-working staff was truly humbling. Hopefully the RCT will be back again 2026."