A collection fund for the family of PC Sharon Beshenivsky has raised tens of thousands of pounds in only six weeks.

Donations have flooded in from members of the public and police organisations since the fund was opened three days after the 38-year-old Bradford officer was shot dead on Friday, November 18.

Tom McGhie, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, said money raised was already well into five figures.

"We have had some big donations from other police federations and organisations like the Superintendents Associa-tion," said Mr McGhie.

"But we have also had many contributions from individual members of the public all over the country. One elderly lady called into a police station in Bedford and handed over £25."

Police Federation members also sent donations rather than Christmas cards to business contacts.

And it is hoped a CD version of REM's song Everybody Hurts, recorded by two road traffic officers from Dewsbury, will raise at least £5,000 for the fund.

Police charities are also helping the family after the death of PC Beshen-ivsky, a married mother of three children and two step-children, of Hain-worth, near Keighley.

The West Yorkshire Police Benevolent Fund maintained by contributions from serving officers, has paid for a relative to fly from their home in Australia to attend her funeral at Bradford Cathedral on Wednesday.

The Police Federation is helping the family to apply to two charities, the Police Dependants' Trust and the St George's Fund, for financial help. The St George's Fund, which is based at Harrogate, helps pay for full-time education to the age of 21 for orphaned children of police officers. It also provides means-tested weekly payments, holidays and Christmas and birthday gifts.

The London-based Police Dependants' Trust offers yearly means-tested grants.

Mr McGhie said: "We have received application forms for both charities. Trustees of the St George's Fund will meet next month to make a decision. If they agree, it will be back-dated to November and the family would receive the first payment within a week."

Serving officers pay about £1 a month to the Benevolent Fund. It has about 3,000 members, 65 per cent of West Yorkshire officers, and helps serving or retired officers in needy circumstances.

Mr McGhie said members of the public had been calling at police stations and offering money to officers. He said: "We have told people if they want to show their gratitude they can make a donation to the Benevolent Fund."

Home Secretary Charles Clarke and Police Minister Hazel Blears are expected to attend PC Beshenivsky's funeral.

l Two men have been charged with her murder and are due to face trial later in the year. Police are hunting a third suspect.