Fundraising friend runs half marathon in memory of colleague

20 December 2024

Dressed head to toe in full police kit, a friend of Inspector Gareth Earp has run a half marathon in his memory.

Sergeant Gary Cole completed the 13.1 mile run through Cardiff dressed in his 7kg weighted vest, patrol boot and trousers.

In doing so, he raised more than £1,600 for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity, which supports the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.

Gary said: “I wanted to do it in memory of Gareth, who was a good friend and colleague, and to raise money for COPS.”

Sergeant Gary Cole.

Gareth died in a road accident as he travelled home from work on the A470 near Rhayader on 29 June 2023. He was 43.

Both Gareth and Gary, 41, grew up in Brecon and attended Brecon High School, before working together on response.

Gary said: “When I joined the police, I spent some time with Gareth and he was my partner on shifts on response for a while. I got to know him well, as a friend as well as a colleague.

“I learned a lot from him and he is someone I respected a lot in policing. He was very well-liked, not just as a police officer but as a person in general.

Respected

“He was someone I greatly respected and he taught me a lot when I was on response with him.”

On the day of the half marathon, Gary was lucky with the weather as it was dry with a breeze.

“It was pretty much perfect,” said Gary, who finished the run in two hours, one minute and forty-five seconds. It was a lot quicker than I anticipated doing it in.

“I wouldn’t call myself a runner. I’ve done some of those challenges before but I tend to run for my other sports, judo and rugby.

"I thought would be a good time to try something new and to raise some money for COPS, in honour of Gareth.

Emotional

“It was really quite emotional, especially towards the end when I had people patting me on the back saying my friend would be proud of me.

“It was emotional but good.”

Support Gary via his JustGiving page.

Read more: Have your say on police funding.