In honour of tragic PC

Mar 14 2010 by Rob Pattinson, Sunday Sun

AN ambitious fundraiser has vowed to raise £100,000 for tragic PC Bill Barker’s favourite charity . . . the Great North Air Ambulance.

Mike James, who is organising this year’s West Cumbrian Run, has pledged all of the proceeds from the event to the charity, in memory of the officer who died in the line of duty.

The dad-of-four was directing traffic away from Workington’s Northside Bridge when it collapsed and swept him away during heavy floods, last November.

During his life, the 44-year-old was an avid supporter of the Air Ambulance, which receives no Government funding.

Now Mike plans to honour his memory by organising a race, from Cockermouth to Workington, for more than 2,000 competitors.

Each competitor will collect sponsorship to put towards the final total.

The final stretch of the challenge will see competitors cross the finish line next to the Barker Crossing footbridge, being installed in memory of Bill.

The event, set to take place on Sunday July 18, is already the single biggest pledge made to the Great North Air Ambulance since it launched its campaign to buy its own helicopter for the first time.

The promise of the crucial cash has capped-off another terrific week for the Sunday Sun’s Air Angels campaign, which is now a third of the way towards our £1m fundraising target.

Thanks to the stunning efforts of readers and families across the region more than £30,000 was pulled in this week, taking the total to £333,000.

If the proceeds promised from the West Cumbrian Run are added, our total rockets to more than £400,000.

However, there is still a long way to go.