More than £300 raised for Newquay police officer who was set on fire
PC Darral Mares suffered serious injuries last September but says he no longer needs hospital treatment and his recovery is going well
Over £300 has been raised for a Newquay police officer who was seriously injured after being set on fire.
PC Darral Mares was left with severe burns to his legs and hand after he was engulfed in flames during the incident off Trevenson Road in September last year.
PC Mares, who was saved from further serious injury by the quick actions of his colleague, PC Alan Lenton, has been recovering from the attack.
Now Newquay Town Council, Newquay Lions and the Newquay Lodges have donated a total of £360 to a charitable fund which has been presented to Darral.
Retired Newquay Police Inspector Dave Meredith helped to organise the donations.
Community 'shocked' by 'vicious attack'
"The entire community was shocked by this vicious and unprovoked attack, and I am delighted that these organisations within our community have expressed their gratitude to Darral’s service and contributed towards this fund.
"I am aware that other groups and organisations have also supported Darral since he was injured. This collective goodwill is a true reflection of the community’s recognition of Darral and his colleagues work in keeping the community safe for us all.
"I worked alongside Darral for about a decade at Newquay, and always found him to be a very professional and well-respected officer who’s robust and positive attitude made him well suited to policing the challenges of Newquay.
"The type of incident which resulted in Darral’s injuries, which while fortunately rare, does nonetheless represent the dangerous that are faced daily by the emergency services throughout the country. This incident involving one of our own officers is a reminder of the dangers faced by those who work to keep us all safe.
"Darral has made great progress in his recovery and I wish him the very best for the future. "
Dave Meredith, retired Newquay Police Inspector
"Our members were shocked and saddened when we heard of the incident involving Darral Mares. Newquay is in the main a close and caring community, with the local police officers at the heart of this. We were pleased to be able to make a donation to show our respect and gratitude to Darral for his service and our hope to provide an enjoyable experience for him and his family. "
Barbara May, President Newquay Lions
"I was honoured to make a personal donation to PC Darral Mares. PC Mares and his colleagues in the police force and our other emergency services continually put their lives on the line for the residents of Newquay and I hope that my donation goes some small way to show PC Mares and his colleagues how much they really are appreciated for everything that they do in our town."
Louis Gardner, Mayor of Newquay
"Newquay Lodges are very pleased to make a donation to PC Darral Mares. PC Mares and his colleagues in the police force and our other emergency services continually put their lives on the line for the residents of Newquay. This donation goes towards our continued gratitude and appreciation for the unselfish effort by you and your colleagues to keep Newquay safe."
Newquay Lodges
'It has been a challenging five months...'
"I would just like to sincerely thank everyone for their support, this has truly assisted in my recovery and recuperation. It has been a challenging five months and the kind messages and gifts I have received from within the local community have been overwhelming and gratefully received.
"I am pleased to say that I have no further hospital treatment and I am at the physiotherapy stage of my recovery which is going really well. Again, I would also like to thank my colleagues and the air ambulance paramedics for their immediate care at the scene as this definitely led to reducing the severity of my injuries. I would also like to thank the exceptional aftercare provided from Derriford and Truro Hospital.
"My passion is rugby and I have been closely involved in the Exeter Chiefs development programme. When fully fit I am looking forward to returning to some youth rugby coaching and training".
PC Darral Mares
A homeless man, Blagovest Hadjigueorguiev, who doused the two police officers in petrol before setting PC Darral Mares on fire was jailed for ten-and-a-half years in November last year.