Charity triathlon tops police team’s wish-list

INSP Andy Holmes (standing, first left) with charity officials and fellow participants

On Thursday, Insp Andy Holmes (44) and an 18-strong team will set off on a 1,000-mile bicycle ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

They will then run the 400 miles to Dover, before swimming 21 miles across the English Channel.

Insp Holmes said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge. We’ll be battered and bruised at the end of it but it’ll all be worthwhile for the cause.”

The officers, many from the Greater Manchester force’s tactical firearms unit, will be split into two teams of nine.

Six members of each group will be the athletes, while three will act as their support.

The two teams will operate in a relay-style format — working in 10-hour stints.

The support team will be in charge of driving the athletes to each location and arranging their food and accommodation.

They will also be responsible for ensuring the triathletes stay on track and cover enough ground to keep them on target to complete the triathlon in seven days.

Insp Tony Hughes said: “We are very excited about this event and have been planning it for the past 12 months. All of the officers have been training intensively for more than six months.

“It is a major feat of endurance and we are the first to attempt it. We will push ourselves to the limit both mentally and physically.

“Any donations people would like to make to help us achieve our goal of raising £20,000 for charity would be greatly appreciated.”

The chosen charity works to grant the wishes of children with a life-threatening or terminal illness.

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/trichallenge