A MELKSHAM man who works for Wiltshire Police is running two miles a day for 125 days for the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund
Mark Abbott has taken on the challenge called Run to Remember following the murder of two Greater Manchester Police officers who were killed in a gun and grenade attack while responding to a report of a burglary in Manchester in September 2012.
One of those officers was PC Nicola Hughes whose father Bryn Hughes has entered the North Pole Marathon in April. This is certified Marathon distance run entirely on ice in the Arctic at temperatures around -20C. He also set up the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund and challenged ten members from each police force in the UK to take part in running two miles per day for 125 days from the 1st December 2013 until 4th April 2014 with an accumulated distance of 250 miles.
The memorial fund will be donated to three charities which are Victim Support, Care Of Police Survivors (COPS), who help children who have lost a parent(s) through a criminal act and the North West Police Benevolent Fund.
Melksham man Mark Abbott will be one of Wiltshire’s representatives on the challenge and he said, “I signed up for this run despite being over 40, unfit and a non-runner because the shock and condemnation following the attack back in September 2012. I also wanted to support my colleagues who put themselves in danger to keep us safe and secure. The total number of runners that signed up for the challenge nationally was 1,784 – Amazing.”
Bryn Hughes added, “I want to honor Nicola’s memory in a remarkable way and do something that she would have been proud of me for, I also want to raise money for the three charities that have helped us so much during this time and will probably continue to help us for a great deal longer. And finally to create a long lasting legacy in Nicola’s name.”
To help with Mark’s fundraising the Pig and Whistle will be hosting a ‘disco with a difference’ on Saturday 15th March. Patrons will be able to have their requests played by DJ Tony Dobbin (Pig and Whistle Publican) for a small charitable donation. Mark said, “You can dress to impress, wear fancy dress or come in your sports kit, but be ready for a good time for a good cause.”
For more information on the Arctic Marathon and Run to Remember and the Charities that are being supported visit www.pchughesnorthpolerun.co.uk.
To sponsor Mark visit his just giving page www.justgiving.com/pchughesnorthpolerun or text NIKY23 (plus amount) to 70070.