Page 15 - WMPF Federation Dec-Jan 2021_Neat

Merseyside Chief joins runners

Ten years after her first and last half “It’s been lovely being part of the time. We say it’s essential time for our
marathon, Merseyside Police Chief WMPMND family. I joined the Facebook mental health, to debrief the week
Constable Serena Kennedy was inspired page and have followed people’s training we’ve had and get refreshed for the
to pound the streets of Liverpool and and how well they’ve been doing. week ahead.
raise money for charity. “Through Facebook I’ve virtually met “In the year we both turned 40, we
Serena joined officers and staff from Sharon and seen the impact that MND is decided we would tick running a
forces across the country inspired by having on the family, which has been a marathon off our bucket list. We ran our
former West Midlands Assistant Chief real motivator to keep training and keep first half marathon 10 years ago at
Constable Chris Johnson to take on the getting sponsorship. Blenheim Palace. It was October and
Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half virtual running events that have been was about 80 degrees.
“We joined in some of the other
“This was a preparatory run for the

Marathon.
“ I’d met Chris at held over the past 20 months and it’s Manchester Marathon in April 2011, the
first Manchester Marathon that there
been great to see everybody achieving
Ryton and knew of
had been in about 10 years.
these events together.
“Claire and I run every Saturday and

“It was declared a critical incident by
his story so I signed
of the number of casualties on the route
running together on the Leeds Liverpool
up. I convinced my Sunday with our dogs. We’ve been North West Ambulance Service because
canal for about 12 years.
due to the appalling weather conditions.
friend Claire – a “We put the world to rights and plod “So 10 years after our last marathon
along, running about five miles each we ran our second half marathon.”
teacher who I run
with every
weekend – to join Young fundraisers
me on the
Joining the adult runners in taking part in
challenge. “ the event, were a number of children who
ran a mile.
Serena said: “Chief Constable Carl Among them was Amara (7), daughter
Foulkes of North Wales Police told me of Lucia Leon who has worked with Chris
that more than 250 West Midlands Johnson in the past.
Police staff would be descending on Lucia said afterwards: “Mummy asked
Liverpool and that it would be nice if me if I wanted to run in Liverpool and I
North West Forces could show some said yes because I wanted to support Chris
support. and to help motor neurone disease. I felt
“I’d met Chris at Ryton and knew of very proud and happy when I finished my
his story so I signed up. I convinced my race. It was tough but I felt like everybody
friend Claire – a teacher who I run with was cheering me on and by my side. I love
every weekend – to join me on the my medal and will remember the time I
challenge. She agreed, thank goodness! helped saved lives.” Young one-mile runners.

‘I knew I had to be part of it’

After collapsing and waking up in A & E organised crime unit in September 1994, 27 out on being part of this amazing event,
the last time he took on a half marathon, years ago now. even if the date changes meant I had to
Detective Chief Inspector Rod Rose had his “I consider them good friends and when take Dexter, aged eight, with me.
own personal challenge to face at the I heard about Chris’ MND diagnosis, the “He was kindly looked after by Gareth
Liverpool event. mention of raising awareness of MND and Taylor and Chris Johnson while I ran. They
But with his friendship with Chris some fundraising I knew I had to be a part spoilt him and he now knows a new swear
Johnson and his wife Sharon stretching of it. word that I had to try and explain to him
back 27 years, Rod, a workplace Federation “The last time I ran an official half on the way home upon his request.
representative and member of the West marathon in Birmingham I collapsed just “I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of
Midlands Police Federation Branch Board, after the 10 mile marker and woke up in being part of Liverpool 2021, being with
knew it was a challenge he would have to City Hospital A & E, so I had a personal colleagues and friends for a great cause
overcome. mental block to overcome too. and, of course, the half marathon itself. It
He explained: “I’ve known Sharon and “The courage and inspiration of Chris was an amazing day with amazing people,
Chris since I started on the old E3 and Sharon meant I was never going to miss one that I’ll never forget.”

www.polfed.org/westmids federation December 2021/January 2022 15