Portsmouth neighbourhood police get running to raise cash for Cancer Research UK

Runners from Cosham neighbourhood police team have pledged to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

They are taking on a series of challenges this year, with team members already taken part in the Longleat 10k and Chichester 10k races.

Sgt Rob Sutton, PCs Lewis Swan and Simon Smith, PCSO Neil Chapman and Inspector David Knowles are already on track to breach their target.

Sgt Sutton, whose nan and aunt died from cancer in December last year, said: ‘Quite a few of the officers and staff, and family and friends, all have someone or know someone who has had cancer, has ongoing treatment for cancer, or lost family and friends to cancer.

‘Personally I lost two family members to cancer.

‘It’s a good cause. The aim is to raise £1,000, although I think we’ll smash that and we’ll make that a bit more.’

The team are charting their efforts on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyPolice, and have raised around £200 already.

Team members are taking on runs from the Great South Run in Portsmouth in October, to the Portchester 10k and Southampton half marathon to the Guernsey Marathon.

PC Swan, who is signed up to run two marathons over the year, said: ‘It’s what affects people most in this lifetime, the stats show everyone will be affected by it in some way.’

On top of the fundraising drive, police across Portsmouth are starting to join in a bid to run the 12,430-mile distance between the North Pole and South Pole.

Miles run by individuals will be tallied up to make the total target.

‘Doing all of this, everyone wants to get involved with a bit of running,’ Sgt Sutton said.

The team held a fundraising cake sale on Thursday at Medina House in Cosham, which made £200.

To donate and for the latest on their efforts, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/portsmouth-north-police