In honour of tragic PC

Mar 14 2010 by Rob Pattinson, Sunday Sun

Race director Mike James, who is organising the run through his company Big-Q Events Limited, hopes each runner will be able to raise up to £100.

He said: “We wanted to put on a race in the West Cumbria area and it is lovely to be able to do it in memory of Bill Barker.

“He actually raised more than £15,000 for the charity before he died. I know it meant a lot to him.

“Our aim is to have an officer from each of the 43 police forces in England running in the race, in Bill’s honour.

“It’s 10 miles, which is a manageable distance, and we can turn anyone from a couch potato into a runner in just eight weeks.”

PC Barker’s widow has already given her backing to the race.

Hazel Barker explained in his role as a traffic officer, Bill often had to call on the Great North Air Ambulance when he was attending road accidents across the county.

She said: “In many cases its role meant the difference between life or death.

“It was for this reason and the fact that it was not Government-funded, not even in part, that Bill, at every opportunity in his determination to make a difference, supported in whatever way possible what he made his charity.

“Therefore, please know, there could be no better tribute to Bill than that of supporting these truly amazing people, without whom because of our geographical location, among other things, many more lives would be lost.

“Words cannot express how much we appreciate your support but please know that we, as a family, feel humbled at this wonderful act of generosity.”

The run will route will follow the cycle path from Cockermouth town centre and it will either finish at the Barker Crossing footbridge or the new temporary road bridge.

The first competitor to sign up for the race was Cumbria Police’s West Cumbrian chief superintendent Steve Johnson.

This week he said: “I’m taking part the race because it is in memory of Bill.

“I have many fond memories of him and many of the officers and staff have fond memories of him. He was such a kind person.

“We wanted to do anything we could to raise money for the charity that he supported as it is a really worthwhile cause.”

Until now the Air Ambulance has leased its aircraft, which has unfortunately meant, on rare occasions the region has been without the service.

The Sunday Sun wants to make sure this never happens again by securing the GNAA’s future and helping the charity buy its own helicopter.

We need your help to reach our ambitious £1m target.

Air Ambulance fundraising manager Mandy Drake, said: “We have always counted ourselves extremely fortunate to count on the support of PC Bill Barker and his family.

“We are touched his memory will now help to raise crucial funds for our charity.

“As always we cannot thank everyone enough for their donations and pledges this week, every penny matters so much.

“Please, please keep your fundraising pledges and donations coming in.

“ If we can maintain the fantastic effort which has been put in so far we will be able to buy the new helicopter we so desperately need to help save lives and ease suffering across the North.”

For more information on run, including entry details, please go www.westcumbrianrun.co.uk.