40 for Fortey 2025: Hundreds lace up runners for annual charity event | Social gallery
An annual relay honoring fallen police officer Brett Forte, held a special place in the mind and hearts of Toowoomba locals and fellow Chinchilla police officers who are still reeling from the loss of their colleges following the Wieambilla shootings.
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South East Queenslanders turned out in force in Toowoomba at the weekend in honour of Senior Constable Brett Forte, who was killed in the line of duty in the Lockyer Valley in 2017.
A number of police officers from the Chinchilla Police Station travelled to Toowoomba to honour their fallen colleagues at the 40 for Fortey relay on Sunday, July 8.
Having lived through the Wieambilla shooting, Constable Randall Kirk said the 40 for Fortey event was particularly important for him to attend.
“It’s always good for us to come together, it makes us feel like we’re a part of something bigger, standing united, and supporting a meaningful cause, and that’s what this is,” he said.
“Obviously I went through something traumatic, which definitely opened my eyes, so I try to drag as many people as possible along to these events – willingly of course.
“It also shows the community can rally pretty heavily when it comes to (tragic) events like this.”
Constable Kirk said attending the 40 for Fortey would be a yearly tradition for him and his family.
Although honoured his fallen brothers and sisters came first and foremost, he said it was a good opportunity for his colleagues to get together for a bit of friendly competition.
“I think we’ll mix it up next year, there’s already talk of us maybe getting out vests and running with those maybe, so we’re already brainstorming,” he said.
Rachel McNaughton has been attending the event to pay her respects and honour the Queensland Police Service since the annual run began in 2018.
The 42-year-old said that having a father who served and a number of friends in the service, it was a particularly important day for her family to attend.
“The event builds such a strong sense of camaraderie and connection in the community, it’s the best community running event on the calendar, maybe even the best community event (in Toowoomba),” she said.
“You get people attending from schools, sporting clubs, and all different walks of life, like your emergency services are always there as well.
“It’s just a really good way to bring the community together and obviously supporting our boys and girls in blue, and honouring those who are no longer with us is very important because they do a very important job in our community.”
She said the event held more significance for her this year after losing her father, Terry Hickey, a few weeks ago.
The former senior sergeant served a number of western Queensland communities during his time with the service.
Mrs McNaughton said she couldn’t speak highly enough of event organisers and close friends of Senior Constable Forte, Louise Macdonald and Geordie Horn.
“They put so much effort in every single year to bring the event together, and I think they’ve now almost raised $100,000 for the Queensland Police Legacy fund,” she said.
“For an event that was just started by two individuals for people who are out there just trying to do their jobs, it’s just incredible.”
Photos from the event below:
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