Virtual run for ACC’s fund-raising appeal
18 August 2020
A retired detective inspector has been so struck by the support for Assistant Chief Constable Chris Johnson he’s organising a virtual run to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove.
James Larkin, who served with the Surrey, Metropolitan and Northamptonshire forces, is putting together the Virtual Two Counties run to support Chris, raise much-needed funds for charity and give fellow runners a goal to aim for after the pandemic forced the cancellation of a series of races.
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 said: “I’d seen how hard and committed so many people had been in training for Liverpool to support Chris and his wife, Sharon, only to be disappointed not just once but now twice with the event being postponed again.”
James is a member of Desborough and Rothwell Running Club in Northamptonshire and race director for the Two Counties Half Marathon and Relay.
“Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, I had to cancel my event and it was clear many runners needed something to keep themselves motivated with all events seeming to follow the same route,” he said.
“Therefore, I persuaded my club to offer a virtual opportunity to earn a bespoke medal and buff for anyone interested.”
He added: “It was an easy decision for me to ask my club if we could give all profit from the event to #WMPMND while, hopefully, encouraging many of the group to take part to keep their training from being wasted.
“I currently have more than 50 per cent of our club signed up to do the event already,” he added. Chris, who has been a police officer for almost 29 years, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease – which affects the brain, spinal cord and nerves and stops muscles functioning – six months after being promoted to Assistant Chief Constable.
He’s had great support 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.”
Chris’s wife, Sharon, who is also a West Midlands Police officer, added: “I think we all knew the October race would be postponed again for everyone’s safety but that just gives us more time to raise awareness of MND and raise funds.
“We’re so proud of all we have achieved to date which includes raising over £23,000 with the added bonus of improving people’s fitness and mental health.
“Chris is getting weaker down his left side and has to use the wheelchair around the house now. We have got occupational therapy coming out to measure him for a bed downstairs as it’s hard work to get him up the stairs and I’m scared if he falls we will both go.
“I’m still running and loving it, my medal rack is getting bigger and I’m so proud of myself and honestly think I’ve found a new passion.”
The initial fund-raising target was £12,000 and when that was reached, it was increased to £16,140 (Chris’s collar number). Recent efforts have now seen that figure surpassed too and the current target stands at a staggering £27,520, which is Sharon’s collar number.
At the time of writing, more than £24,198 has been pledged. Chris, Sharon and the fund-raising team have been backed by Olympian and champion marathon runner Paula Radcliffe, Line of Duty actor Vicky McLure, Ruth Wilson, star of Luther, and TV personality David Walliams. For more information about the Virtual Two Counties and how to enter, visit the Desborough and Rothwell Running Club website.
