Ex-officer who helped save lives in Southport attack takes on charity walk between every Merseyside Police station

Southport PCSO Barry Calder will be walking the equivalent of five marathons in five days visiting every operational Merseyside Police station.

He will take on this ‘Walking for Hope and for those that Serve’ fundraising mission between 6th and 10th July 2026.

This isn’t just a physical challenge. It’s a deeply personal mission to support two incredible charities, raise awareness of trauma recovery, and honour those affected by tragedy and those who serve our communities every day.

Many people in Southport know Barry as a local PCSO, but before joining Merseyside Police he served for more than 30 years with the Metropolitan Police, including as an Armed Response Officer, Operational Firearms Commander, Police Medic and Royal Protection Officer.

Southport PCSO Barry Calder will take on an extraordinary challenge: walking the equivalent of five marathons in five days, visiting every operational Merseyside Police station

During his career, Barry responded to some of the most challenging incidents in modern policing, including IRA bombings, the Westminster Bridge terrorist attack and numerous firearms operations involving severe injury and trauma.

Following his retirement from the Metropolitan Police in 2022, Barry chose to continue serving the public by joining Merseyside Police as a PCSO.

In July 2024, while still undergoing his initial training, Barry was among the first responders to the Southport attack.

Entering Hart Street as colleagues detained the offender, he immediately began triaging victims. Drawing on his experience as a trained police medic, his decisive actions and emergency first aid helped save the life of an injured child.

Now, two years on, Barry is walking to honour those affected, support those still recovering, thank the emergency service workers who responded that day, and raise awareness of the lasting impact trauma can have on individuals, families and communities.

Barry said:

“Policing never really leaves you. Whether as a firearms officer or a PCSO, it’s about protecting people, making our communities safer, and being there when it matters most.

“Many of us carry trauma from what we’ve witnessed and endured. It used to be taboo to talk about mental health struggles, but that has to change. Reaching out for support is not a sign of weakness. It’s an act of strength.”