“PHENOMENAL” POLICE officers raised more than £5,000 by cycling 998 miles in memory of murdered PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.
The eight GMP officers rode from John O’Groats to Land’s End in just eight days, and will split proceeds raised between the Police Dependents’ Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Kirk Johnson, Neil Clark, Kev Handley, Kev Sefton, Jason Galvin, Barry Cheetham, Neil Tonge and Mike Bundy started in Inverness before cycling through Perth, Dumfries, Preston, Shrewsbury, Bath, Okehampton and on to Land’s End.
And as they stopped at Hyde Police Station memorial garden, they were cheered on by their families and well-wishers, including Bryn Hughes, whose daughter Nicola was shot on duty last September.
Bryn, who is training for a charity marathon in the North Pole next April, said: “I just think it is phenomenal that people do things like this in memory of Nicola.
“It is overwhelming, the things people will do and the unbelievable tasks they take on.”
During the eight-day trek, each rider completed 63 hours in the saddle, as well as ascending 42,000 feet – all without one puncture or mechanical breakdown.
PC Mike Bundy, chief fundraiser for the team, said: “It was a fantastic experience from start to finish and the whole team were brilliant.
“It was very tough – long days in the saddle and then trying to force yourself to eat at night and in the morning so you have refuelled and are ready for the day ahead.
“We visited some fantastic places: the highlights for me were the Forth Road Bridge, Severn Bridge and riding through Monmouthshire and the Wye valley.
“Visiting Hyde memorial garden was a brilliant experience with the crowd of people waiting our arrival.
“Even more special was for Bryn Hughes to turn up on that day. He is overwhelmed by our efforts and that for me has made the whole thing worthwhile.”
The team was trailed for the entire journey by Jason’s dad Keith, who followed in a minibus and was at every designated stop ready with water and refreshments.
Mike added: “Keith was simply brilliant and without him the ride wouldn’t have gone as smoothly.
“And I cannot express enough gratitude to family and friends for their efforts not only during the ride but during the last 6-8 months of training.
“The finish was brilliant. I can’t really describe how I felt but I just had a good feeling all over. I still feel it now knowing I have done something remarkable. We are already talking about the next adventure!”
To boost the team’s fundraising, raffle winners were picked on each day of the journey, with prizes including a meal for two at Dinnerstone in Uppermill, a voucher for Grandpa Greenes ice-cream, and a mini facial or back massage from The Face and Body shop in Grotton.
A comedy night organised by Off the Rails Comedy Club at The Royal George in Greenfield saw Rob Rouse and Sgt Alfie Moore take to the stage for the two causes.
And staff at Swan Meadow Nursery in Delph contributed £500 to the charity bid by doing a sponsored ride for a day on an indoor turbo trainer.
You can still support the team by donating on their Just Giving pages: www.justgiving.com/team-jogle for Macmillan and www.justgiving.com/team-jogle2 for the PDT. Find out more on Twitter @GMPcharityJOGLE and Facebook.
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