Fundraising police officers from West Mercia have handed over a cheque for £1500 to the County Air Ambulance following a gruelling running and cycling feat from John O Groats to Lands End.  

The trio; Det Chief Insp Sean Paley, Inspector Richard Horder and Sergeant Bob Twigg, completed the challenge in June this year. The officers, who all work at West Mercia Constabulary headquarters, decided to raise funds for the County Air Ambulance and Child Victims of Crime.

Annie Newell, Area Manager for the County Air Ambulance, said: “We are based at Strensham and cover Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Powys. We rely totally on donations from the public, there is no government funding. We want to say a big thankyou to the team from West Mercia who raised this money and congratulate them on their efforts.”

The police team decided to raise funds for the air ambulance as one of the support crew Joan Turnbull has personal experience of how invaluable the service can be. Her son Jason was involved in a road traffic collision in 1997 and the air ambulance airlifted him to hospital. Sadly Jason died but Joan will always be grateful for the help the helicopter provided.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Paley said: “It was a tough challenge but we all completed it and came home tired but happy. The weather was rather mixed but it didn’t stop our determination to raise funds and spread the message about internet safety for youngsters.”