RUN TO REMEMBER REACHES HALFWAY

More than 100 Cheshire Police officers and staff are approaching the halfway point of the Run to Remember Challenge. Since 1 December Team Cheshire runners have been running a minimum of two miles a day in an aim to run 250 miles by the 4 April.

The runners have already seen their fair share of injuries, wet and windy days and aching muscles but are on track to finish the challenge. Some of the team have gone the extra mile and have already completed the 250 miles and are now aiming to beat 625 miles in 125 days (five miles per day!).

PC Julia West who is running, said: “The challenge has seen new friendships and new running groups established due to the strong support that has been shown by one and all to keep us going when it has got tough.

“Everyone has commented on how much their fitness has improved in such a short time which is an added benefit.”

PC Dan Reynolds who is also running, said: “There have been some especially fun moments like the extremely wet and windy Santa Dash at Police Headquarters in Winsford, the weekly Sunday themed runs − yes that is why you saw us dressed in tinsel, sunglasses and fluorescent pink!

“The fancy dress has also provided a boost to the sponsorship and morale, especially when I went out running in a pink tutu. I find it amazing that by the end of the challenge Team Cheshire will have run 25,000 miles and all the UK team will have run close to 500,000 miles − which is to the moon and back!”

Intelligence Analyst Natalie Ward said: “The challenge has really brought together all the different faces from the wider police family.

“We have members representing all aspects of policing from all over the UK and it has made us all feel proud to part of the service.

“The feedback and support from the community has been amazing and has brought all of closer together.

“We have further events to look forward to, with a Regional Run at Warrington on 9 February and the last run in Manchester on 4 April.

“As fabulous as these events are for the motivation and team spirit, the main thing that keeps us all going, especially on those cold dark days, is the amazing cause we are running for and in honour and memory of those that can no longer run.”

The Run to Remember campaign is to support the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund. PC Hughes and her colleague PC Fiona Bone were murdered in Manchester last year.

Their killer, Dale Cregan, 30, was already on the run for the murders of father and son David and Mark Short when he killed the officers in a gun and grenade attack. He was given a whole life sentence at Preston Crown Court.

Each member of Cheshire Constabulary running in memory hopes to raise a minimum of