Hunters supports launch of new charity dedicated to injured police and emergency service personnel

Hunters proudly announces successful registration of Wounded Blue Line Charity which has been entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1218577.

A new charity dedicated to supporting injured police officers, emergency service personnel and their families.

Hunters and Claire Bond are proud to announce the successful establishment and registration of Wounded Blue Line, a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) created to support serving police officers and other emergency service personnel who suffer physical injury, long-term illness, or psychological trauma as a result of their service, together with the families affected by those challenges. Having worked closely with the founding trustees throughout the charity formation process, Hunters has provided legal guidance and support to help bring this important initiative into existence.

Wounded Blue Line has been founded on the belief that when those who protect society are injured, whether physically or mentally, they deserve access to meaningful support and understanding. The charity also recognises that injury and trauma do not affect individuals alone; they impact spouses, partners, children and dependants whose lives are often changed forever. 

Claire Bond, Founder of Wounded Blue Line, 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 Hunters’ Governance, Safeguarding and Charity law practice group stated:

“It has been a genuine privilege to support the Trustees in establishing Wounded Blue Line. From our earliest discussions, it was clear that Claire’s vision was both compelling and deeply rooted in a determination to improve the lives of those who have sacrificed so much in the service of others. Her drive, resilience and unwavering commitment throughout the charity registration process have been truly exceptional, and it has been immensely rewarding to help bring that vision to life.

“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's objectives include providing support and guidance to emergency services personnel who have been injured or suffer a long-term illness during service, together with support for family members whose mental or physical wellbeing has been affected by the trauma associated with service-related injuries. While support extends across emergency services, the charities efforts will commence with support for members of the police service.

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.