Fund-raisers prepare for virtual run
3 September 2020
A total of 90 people have already signed up to take part in a virtual run to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove.
The Virtual Two Counties Run is being organised by James Larkin, who served with the Surrey, Metropolitan and Northamptonshire forces, who wanted to do something after hearing about the fund-raising efforts in the name of ACC Chris Johnson.
“We currently have 90 entrants and hope to get over the 100 mark later this week after payday with a final target of 120. With some real events starting up again, I can see runners preferred choice is now back with traditional events but I still hope people will get behind this event since it is raising funds for two great charities,” says James.
He is encouraging people to complete a half marathon or 10K between Sunday 13 September and Sunday 20 September. People can also join together to run the half marathon distance as a relay.
It comes after the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, in which more than 350 of Chris’s family, friends and supporters from police forces across England and Wales were running to support MNDA and the Primrose Hospice, was twice cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis and lockdown.
Originally due to take place in May, it was rescheduled for October because of the pandemic but that event has now also been postponed.
James is a member of Desborough and Rothwell Running Club in Northamptonshire and race director for the Two Counties Half Marathon and Relay.
He’s had great support for the virtual event from officers, staff and friends from West Midlands Police and other forces nationwide. They include Detective Sergeant Trudy Gittins, a West Midlands Federation workplace representative, who set up #WMPMND to raise funds for the charities.
Trudy said: “This is the policing family at its best. It’s a real compliment to us that James has gone to such lengths to support us as a former colleague from another force.”
So far, more than £24,000 has been raised for the appeal set up in the ACC’s name.
To find out more about the virtual event, email Two Counties Half Marathon Relay organisers or you can click here to enter.
