Inspector joins Addis Ababa SOS

ALL SET . . . Kevin Rankin is ready to go

POLICEMAN Kevin Rankin is flying out to Ethiopia to help build a drop-in centre for street children.

The Chadderton neighbourhood inspector is part of a 20-strong team from Greater Manchester Police which will work with the charity Retrak.

And to make it even more of a challenge, Inspector Rankin will also tackle a 10k run while he is out there.

GMP has adopted Manchester-based Retrak as its charity of the year for 2010. It aims to help children who sleep rough for a variety of reasons such as poverty, family problems or abuse.

Many are orphaned because of HIV/AIDS, war and famine.

Inspector Rankin (44), who lives in Tameside, said: “Retrak is working in Africa, trying to get children off the street and give them a real alternative. We want to get them educated, look after them and get them fostered by other parents.

“It is an opportunity that you do not often get. My two sons have had quite a privileged upbringing. We will be helping those who haven’t been so privileged — and leave a legacy.”

The team flies out on November 15 and Inspector Rankin has already been busy fund-raising. He hopes to raise £3,500 and has completed two 10k runs and abseiled from the top of Manchester Velodrome — despite being scared of heights.

“I thought I would step out of my comfort zone and do something different. It was great fun but terrifying at the same time,” he admitted.

“It’s about 125ft. When you are scared it is not the easiest thing to do!”

Inspector Rankin is organising a “Cop Idol” event at the Police Club in Chorlton on November 13.

The Great Ethiopia 10k run in Addis Ababa is on November 21.

Anyone who would like to support Inspector Rankin can visit his website http://www.justgiving.com/kevin-rankin