Page 22 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2020_Neat

Charity effort

Virtual run aims to

boost ACC’s fund-

raising appeal

retired detective inspector has been once but now twice with the event being
so struck by the support for Assistant postponed again.”
A Chief Constable Chris Johnson he’s James is a member of Desborough and
organising a virtual run to raise funds for the Rothwell Running Club in Northamptonshire
Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and race director for the Two Counties Half
and Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove. Marathon and Relay.
James Larkin, who served with the Surrey, “Due to the current COVID-19
Metropolitan and Northamptonshire forces, restrictions, I had to cancel my event and it
is putting together the Virtual Two Counties was clear many runners needed something
run to support Chris, raise much-needed to keep themselves motivated with all
funds for charity and give fellow runners a events seeming to follow the same route,”
goal to aim for after the pandemic forced the he said. “Therefore, I persuaded my club to
cancellation of a series of races. offer a virtual opportunity to earn a bespoke
He is encouraging people to complete a medal and buff for anyone interested.”
half marathon or 10K between Sunday 13 He added: “It was an easy decision for
September and Sunday 20 September. People me to ask my club if we could give all profit
can also join together to run the half from the event to #WMPMND while,
marathon distance as a relay. hopefully, encouraging many of the group to
It came after the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll take part to keep their training from being
Marathon, in which more than 350 of Chris’s wasted.
family, friends and supporters from police “I currently have more than 50 per cent
forces across England and Wales were of our club signed up to do the event
running to support MNDA and the Primrose already,” he added.
Hospice, was twice cancelled due to the Chris, who has been a police officer for
coronavirus crisis and lockdown. almost 29 years, was diagnosed with motor
Originally due to take place in May, it was neurone disease – which affects the brain,
rescheduled for October because of the spinal cord and nerves and stops muscles
pandemic but that event has now also been functioning – six months after being
postponed. promoted to Assistant Chief Constable.
James said: “I’d seen how hard and He’s had great support from officers,
committed so many people had been in staff and friends from West Midlands Police
training for Liverpool to support Chris and his and other forces nationwide. James Larkin.
wife, Sharon, only to be disappointed not just They include Detective Sergeant Trudy Gittins, a West Midlands Federation
“ This is the policing family at its best. It’s a real #WMPMND to raise funds for the charities.
workplace representative, who set up

Trudy said: “This is the policing family at
its best. It’s a real compliment to us that
compliment to us that James has gone to such
James has gone to such lengths to support

Chris’s wife, Sharon, who is also a West
lengths to support us as a former colleague from us as a former colleague from another force.”
Midlands Police officer, added: “I think we all
knew the October race would be postponed
another force. again for everyone’s safety but that just
gives us more time to raise awareness of
MND and raise funds.

22 federation August/September 2020 www.polfed.org/westmids

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