Page 17 - Federation magazine: October / November 2016

Fund-raising round-up

Karen’s marathon The Nicola
effort in memory Hughes
of Nicola Hughes Memorial
A West Midlands Police officer will be Fund
swapping the streets of thought this was divine intervention.”
Birmingham for the bright lights of Nevertheless she managed a substantial Back in 2012, two unarmed police
the Big Apple when she runs in the New York amount for her chosen charity, Victa. officers were shot as they attended a
Marathon to raise money for a charity set up Karen’s injuries to her feet continue to be routine burglary call in Manchester.
in memory of the murdered Greater a problem as she prepares for the New York They were PC Nicola Hughes and
Manchester PC Nicola Hughes. Marathon which takes place on 6 November. PC Fiona Bone. Fiona was 32 at the
Inspector Karen Geddes, staff officer to “Training is hard at the moment, I am still time and Nicola 23. They were gunned
the Chief Constable and the DCC and chair of having some treatment for my feet- so I down after being lured in to a trap by
the Black and Asian Police Association (BAPA) haven’t set myself a time limit I just want to Dale Cregan. Cregan is now serving a
branch, hopes to raise more than £3,000. finish,” she says. whole life order for four counts of
The charity aims to provide support to Karen, who has 22 years’ service, is a wife murder including that of the two
young people who have suffered a tragic loss and a mother of two young children who will police officers and three counts of
of a close family member through a violent be staying home as she flies to New York on 3 attempted murder.
crime such as murder or manslaughter. November and returns the day after the Bryn Hughes, Nicola’s father,
This won’t be Karen’s first experience marathon. established the Nicola Hughes
with long-distance running as she has twice Having been to the Big Apple once before, Memorial Fund.
competed in the London Marathon. She Karen is hoping it’s not too cold this time and The charity aims to provide
completed it in four hours and five minutes is looking forward to the experience and the learning opportunities and pre-
the first time and at her second attempt shopping! employment skills in the form of
managed four hours and 45 minutes due to a As well as her marathon running, she also support via grants or services to
foot injury. plays in the WMP ladies’ basketball team as children who have suffered a tragic
She explained: “At one point in the run I well as practising yoga twice a week. loss of a close family member through
almost stopped. I then saw a man dressed as To support Karen in her marathon, please crimes such as murder or
Jesus carrying a cross wearing no shoes – I donate to her JustGiving page. https://www. manslaughter.
justgiving.com/fundraising/Karen-Geddes2 To support the charity please
donate to the charity’s JustGiving
page https://www.justgiving.com/
nicolahughesmemorialfund

www.westmidspolfed.com federation October/November 2016 17