Turn our state blue in support of police

The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation has expressed its deepest sympathies to the families of the four police who died last night in a crash on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne.

Foundation chief executive officer Neil Soullier said last night’s shocking news “took all of us by surprise and in many ways, we just could not comprehend that it was true”.

“We now need to prepare ourselves for the coming days, knowing the terrible effects of yesterday will reverberate through the policing and general community forever.

“We are enormously grateful to our community for the overwhelming offers of support, which began last night and has continued this morning. We are working alongside Victoria Police and Victoria Police Legacy to provide ways in which the public can express their condolences and support for our police members and the families of those who died as a result of this tragic incident.”

He said the foundation was directing efforts so people could show their support while respecting the existing Stage 3 lockdown conditions.

A virtual blue ribbon can be downloaded and added to social media banners,  which can be obtained from the Blue Ribbon Fundation website at remember.org.au or its Facebook page facebook.com/VicBlueRibbon

People are encouraged to “Turn Our State Blue” (#turnourstateblue). Make your own blue ribbons; wear them, display them in your windows, tie them to your letterbox or to the aerials of your cars. Mr Souiller said this would send police a visible and emotional signal of support during the days and weeks ahead.

Together with Police Legacy we have started a fund to provide support and assistance to the families of the four fallen police officers. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at remember.org.au or policelegacyvic.org.au

“We thank the hundreds of people who have already made donations to this fund,” Mr Souiller said.

“Over the next few days I’m sure our partners and the wider community will think of other ways to support Victoria Police and the families at this tragic time so we urge the community to visit our website and to also link with our Facebook and/or Instagram to receive latest updates as they occur.”