Police officers take on might of Rome (From Gazette & Herald)

Police officers take on might of Rome

TWO North Yorkshire Police officers are limbering up to join 8,000 runners tackling the mighty Rome City Marathon next month.

Sergeant Paul Stephenson, a road policing officer based at Malton police station, and Helmsley community beat officer PC Ray Thwaites will pound more than 26 miles of the Italian capital's streets on March 13, to raise money for St Catherine's Hospice, Scarborough.

The course is considered a major challenge by marathon runners as it includes six of the city's seven hills.

PC Thwaites said: "We want to raise as much money as possible. I'm doing it in memory of my father-in-law John Robert Marshall, of Hunmanby, who passed away last week. He was a cancer patient, who caught an infection and St Catherine's Hospice staff looked after him for eight weeks. They were magic with him and looked after him so well.

"Paul and I have paid for our travel, accommodation, and all other costs ourselves, so every penny we raise will go to the charity."

They have already completed a number of charity runs, including the New York Marathon in 2003, where they raised £5,000 for a youngster's charity.

The pair will hold a car wash outside Helmsley police station, in Ashdale Road, next Saturday, from 9am to 4pm, where they will seek sponsorship.

To pledge, email your full address and amount you want to give, to Ray.Thwaites@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 606 0247.

Updated: 11:45 Saturday, February 05, 2005