(Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
A 12-year-old boy from Thornaby has raised £600 in memory of two Cleveland Police officers who died while serving their community.
George Pollard completed two sponsored walks for PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough after learning of the tragedy that killed the much-loved officers in August.
Officers across Cleveland Police know George for his passion for policing and his support for the force.
He also runs a police-themed YouTube channel and regularly engages with local officers.
George Pollard, 12. (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
George completed two fundraising walks earlier this month to honour PC Blades and PC Clough.
On October 4, he walked from Thornaby Neighbourhood Policing Office to Stockton.
On October 10, he walked from Middlesbrough Police Station to the Matrix office in Wynyard.
His mum, Claire Pollard, and his uncle accompanied George, while police officers joined him for parts of the routes.
Speaking after completing the challenge, Claire said: “George has done it.
"He has completed his memorial walk in honour of Matt and Tom and has raised £600 in their memory.
"I am so proud of him.
“Thank you so much to the officers who helped to make this memorial walk happen.
"I cannot put into words what the Cleveland Fire Brigade and Cleveland Police did for George to enable him to carry out these walks.”
George said he thought about the two officers throughout the walks.
He said: “I thought of PC Blades and PC Clough throughout my walks, thinking of their bravery and all they did during their careers as police officers.
“I’d like to thank all of the officers who waved me off at each station and who met me at the end of my walks, including Matrix officers and PCSO Nick Fuller, and also Sergeant Chris Williams, who walked with me and my mam, supporting us on the first walk.”
PCSO Nick Fuller, who helped organise the walks, praised George’s effort and support for the force.
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He said: “I’d like to say thank you to George for raising this money, and also for carrying the spirit of Cleveland Police and all of our officers, and for being such a strong supporter.”
George’s fundraising has been widely praised for honouring two officers whose deaths were felt across the region.
The officers died on August 22, 2026, when their marked police car was hit head-on by a vehicle travelling the wrong way on the A66 at South Bank.