Rotherham cops yomping for kids

The magnificent seven, all from Rotherham’s Main Street Police Station, will all be heading to Catterick, North Yorkshire, to take part in the extreme endurance event known as the ‘P Company Challenge’ on September 11.

Following the route that forms the Parachute Regiment’s selection test, each officer will carry a rucksack weighing 35lb—excluding their food and water—and will be expected to wear long trousers and military style boots for the exercise.

In typical military style, competitors’ rucksacks will even be weighed before and after the race to ensure nobody attempts to lighten their load along the way.

The officers taking part are PCs Chris Glossop and Chris Priest, Sergeants Ray Powell and Craig Smith, Inspectors Ian Hill and Nick Gaskell and Chief Inspector Nev Hamilton.

Insp Nick Gaskell said: “We’re raising money for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity and are looking to gain as much sponsorship as possible for such a worthy cause.

“This event is going to be tough. We’ve been told that after three hours a mini-bus comes along the course to collect anyone who has not yet completed the challenge. If you don’t get on, you’re then on your own.”

He added: “No matter how long it takes, or what the weather is like, we’ve all agreed not to get on that bus and to cross the finish line together as a team.”

To sponsor the officers, visit their page on the Just Giving web-site at www.justgiving.com/rotherhamofficers.