Twin of tragic PC David Rathband in vow to aid charity

THE twin brother of the policeman suspected of taking his own life after being blinded in a sawn-off shotgun attack has declared his determination to boost a charity foundation dedicated to his memory

Darren Rathband, 44, vowed on Twitter to work with the Blue Lamp Foundation, set up in honour of his brother PC David Rathband, blinded by gunman Raoul Moat in July 2010.

Rathband, who flew to the UK from his home in Australia after the death of his brother last week, said he was “broken” and asked for help with the charity.

In his post, Rathband said: “Makes me weep reading all your messages, broken but determined to keep David’s foundation growing for others. Please help me.”

He added: “Need the foundation profile raising in all services and raising money, it will help others.”

The Blue Lamp Foundation provides support to emergency personnel criminally injured on duty.

It was set up by PC Rathband after he realised the limits of what was being done to help emergency services staff and their families after such an injury.

The foundation aims to raise £1 million by 2013.

It has created a webpage for people to leave their condolences for the family of PC Rathband, found hanged at his home in Blyth, Northumberland, on Wednesday.

Raoul Moat, 37, killed himself with his shotgun after being cornered by police, having murdered his former girlfriend’s partner.