Page 13 - WMPF Federation DEC 2019-flip_Neat

Supporters’ stories

Having been inspired to enter, Damian Sally Clark is one of a number of runners
Baxter from the Force Support Unit has taking part in the Liverpool marathon
decided to cycle to Liverpool from Lloyd events who doesn’t work in policing.
House on Saturday 23 May. Sally Astwood has been a police officer But Sally was inspired to sign up
“Planning is underway with a with the Force for almost 26 years and when she saw Sharon Johnson in
proposed route of 107 miles, with two or works on the same team as ACC Chris September.
three pitstops for a cuppa, sandwich and Johnson’s wife, Sharon. She joined the “We own a garage and look after
a cake to fuel us,” says Damian. marathon team to improve her own Sharon’s car so we’ve become friends,”
“I’m also looking for a few more fitness but also get behind the cause. says Sally, “She dropped her car in to us
volunteers to ride with us or support us “I’m 53 – soon to be 54 – and started and was in her running gear so I asked
on the day. Please let me know if wish to running seriously about five years ago. In her what she was doing and she told me
join us on the ride or be part of our that time, I’ve run a number of events about the marathon. I run myself,
support crew. Good luck to everyone! including about 10 half marathons, 10ks normally around 10k, but I’d lost my
#WMPMND.” mojo.
and aquathons. The Rock ‘n’ Roll half
seemed an ideal opportunity to get “I asked if I could join the team and I
Chrissy Naccarato, a Force business involved for an amazing cause and try to have been training ever since so at the
analyst, was convinced to take part in push myself that bit further so I’ve got moment I am doing about 10 miles a
the marathon by colleague and WMP myself a coach and I am aiming for a sub week with a local running club.
Federation representative Rod Rose. two-hour time,” says Sally. “Sharon has really inspired me, she is
“Back in August, I was on holiday so lovely and when I don’t feel like
when I got a text off Rod asking if I running, I think of why I am doing it, put
wanted to run a half marathon. I initially my running stuff on and get out there.”
turned it down because there was no way Sergeant Jon Butler wants to take part Sally adds: “I did Couch to 5k about
I could run that far, however, after about a in the Liverpool event as a small token of two years ago to get back into running
day or so of him texting and offering the gratitude he feels towards ACC Chris but, while I had always run since school, I
support, he convinced me I could do it Johnson and all he has done for officers never fancied doing a half marathon.
and before I knew it my place was booked during his career. Now I can’t wait. I feel that it’s something
for the half marathon,” she explains. Jon, who has been with the Force I can do to help Chris and Sharon. I’ve met
Chrissy admits her fitness levels have since 2004 and has been a traffic officer Chris at the garage; he’s such a lovely
dropped to rock bottom over the last 12 since 2009, has been running for several man and so brave.”
months due to work commitments and years with his first race being in support
signing up has helped motivate her to get of the road safety charity, Brake, after DC Sarah Rose, who works in PPU, was
back into the gym. which he took part in the London asked to join the team by Kelly
“Doing the half marathon for MNDA Marathon to raise money for Walsall Monaghan (Bebe) who she knows
and Primrose Hospice was the perfect Manor Hospital’s neo-natal ward. Last through running for the Force.
reason to get back into my fitness,” she year he ran the Birmingham Half She had just made the decision to
adds. Marathon for the Benevolent Fund. hang up her running trainers and
The furthest Chrissy has ever run “I first met Chris Johnson when he concentrate on cycling but was soon
before is 5k and that was a few years ago was chief superintendent at BWC where persuaded to come out of retirement!
so Chrissy knows the event is going to he was giving a talk to new sergeants “I’ve run since a young age,
push her to the limit. However, she is not about leadership,” says Jon, “What he culminating in representing Great
aiming for a personal best but just wants said sticks with me today and I like to Britain. I’m the current British Police cross
to get over the finish line! think that moment inspired my journey country champion. I am totally inspired
as a leader in WMP. I am also running the and love hearing about everyone
London Marathon again as well as the achieving their goals even if that goal is
Michelle Thurgood, a detective inspector Liverpool half to raise money for MNDA to run one mile non-stop,” says Sarah.
with the Force, started running 18 and Primrose Hospice. I couldn’t think of “To think there are people who
months ago after joining ‘This Girl Runs a better cause to raise that money for. cannot run due to health reasons makes
Couch to 5k’. Despite always being fit, Chris is nothing short of an inspiration to me realise how much running means to
running had always defeated her. so many of us and this is just a small me. I watched the ‘Good Morning Britain’
“Running was something that has token of the gratitude I have for all he interview and was so inspired by Chris
really frustrated me as I’ve got older, has done for all of us during his career.” and his wife, Sharon, that I have entered
however, I now run two or three times a Jon is currently sergeant with the the marathon. Training is going well with
week but have struggled to get past 7k,” road harm prevention team based with my goal at this moment in time being
she says. the Central Motorway Police Group. consistent with training.
“Having worked with Chris, I saw this “I wish everyone the best in their
as a way to drive myself forward and push training. A big well done to Trudy and
to achieve a goal I’m still not sure I can Chris Jones for all their hard work.”
make, but for Chris I’m going to give it a
damn good try!” Feature continued on Page 15

www.polfed.org/westmids federation December 2019/January 2020 13