London Marathon 2024: good luck to runners

19 April 2024

West Mercia Police Federation chair Steve Butler has sent a good luck message to all of the Force’s officers and staff running the London Marathon on Sunday.

Steve said: “There are a number of West Mercia Police officers and staff members who are taking part in the London Marathon this weekend.

“It’s a fantastic event and as a branch we wish them all the very best of luck for the day and hope they raise lots of money for their chosen causes.

“We’ll be with you every step of the way.”

They include Andy Hudson, a Safer Schools Police Community Support Officer based in Telford.

Andy is running his first – and almost certainly last - London Marathon in support of Get Kids Going, a national charity which gives disabled children and young people, up to the age of 26, the chance to take part in sport.

PCSO Andy Hudson is running the London Marathon in support of Get Kids Going.

He’s also been using the training and the Marathon as a way to help improve his mental health and wellbeing after being diagnosed with anxiety and depression last year.

“The ethos of Get Kids Going really resonates with me,” Andy said.

“I’ve got a few friends who are either disabled or who have disabled relatives, and they sometimes have issues getting involved in things.

“The charity works with anyone up to the age of 26 and gives them an opportunity to get involved in sport, event to the point of developing Paralympic talent for the GB team.

“I’ve done a half marathon for them before and it was partly that which appealed to me to run for them again.

“And it was partly because I had some issues last year and was off work through anxiety and depression that I wanted to get involved this year.

“I felt that having something to work towards would be key for my recovery.”

However, Andy’s training hasn’t quite gone to plan.

“Looking back on what I’ve been able to do in terms of training, it’s been a case study in how not to prepare for a marathon," he said.

“I got back to work in mid-December and there’s been a number of shift changes and a change of role for me, which meant I’ve not been able to get out as much as I would like.

“I have been able to do a bit of running. I recently completed the Ironbridge Half Marathon.

“I’m in as good a place as I can be for Sunday.”

He added: " I’m really looking forward.

“I want to challenge myself and prove to myself I can do it, regardless of how tough it’s going to be and with the limited preparations.”

You can donate to Andy’s cause via his JustGiving page.