Phil's positive year continues with charity trip to New York Half Marathon

14 March 2024

Police Federation National Board member Phil Jones is running the New York Half Marathon for charity as part of a year of positive change for him.

Phil, who represents West Midlands, West Mercia, Warwickshire and Staffordshire in his national Federation role, will join police officers from across the country in tackling the 13-mile course around Central Park.

The runners are raising money for Joining Against Cancer in Kids, or J-A-C-K.org, a charity founded in 2008 by Metropolitan Police officers, which provides research into neuroblastoma and offers advice and support to families with children with a diagnosis.

The officers, who are all funding the trip themselves, also aim to raise awareness of neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that affects children, mostly under the age of five.

They will each be wearing police uniform from the waist up - including a wicking top, epaulettes and a hat - teamed with running gear.

Phil said he has a number of motivations for taking on the challenge.

“Im not a natural runner or an athlete,” he said. “If you’ve seen the film Run, Fatboy, Run, that’s probably me.

“To complete the half marathon will be a personal achievement and all in aid of a fantastic cause.

“My training is getting there and hopefully, come May, I’ll be able to give the best that I can.

“Cancer is a horrible disease, particularly when it affects children, so it’s an opportunity to raise awareness and to give something back.”

J-A-C-K.org was founded in 2008 by officers in the Metropolitan Police. The charity was inspired by Jack Brown, who was seven when he died from neuroblastoma after a three-year illness. His mum Yvonne and dad Richard were detectives in the Met.

For the past 18 years, police officers from the UK have been running the New York Half Marathon in Central Park to help raise money for the charity.

The runners are known as Jack’s Pack, and hope to raise more than £30,000 for the charity.

Phil said that after a change in personal circumstances he was determined to make 2024 a year of challenge and change.

“It’s is a big year for me,” he said. “I’ve just achieved a masters degree and this opportunity came up and I thought I’d go for it.

“It’s about pushing yourself, reinventing yourself, and I wanted to do something different.

“This year is about new challenges and trying to test myself.

“I’ve never run this distance before so it’s a challenge, but it’s all for a really good cause.”

You can sponsor Phil through his JustGiving page.

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