Bobbies on bikes gear up for charity

Two police beat officers and their wives are gearing up for a marathon cycle ride to help boost funds for a village youth project in Staffordshire.

Pc Warren Saunders and PCSO Neil Griffiths will be pedalling away in the 15-mile Wolverhampton Cycle Marathon on September 7 with their wives Kathy and Esther to raise cash for Kids of Norton Canes Activity Scheme (KONCAS) and Unit 13, based in Jerome Road, Norton Canes. The pair are both well-known in the village.

They have already received £250 sponsorship from local firm, Brock Metal. The company has also donated £250 direct to KONCAS and Unit 13.

Pc Saunders, who has been based in the village for nearly five years, said: "I think as beat officers we have a responsibility to be a part of the community we serve and find a way to give something back to the community.

"I'd urge people to contact us either at Cannock Police Station, the Norton Canes police post behind the Co-op or stop us when they see us in the streets to sponsor us, because it is all going to a good, local, worthwhile cause."

Unit 13 offers a place for teenagers to hang out, play sports and use computers every evening while the Kids of Norton Canes Activity Scheme (KONCAS) organise various activities at the warehouse on Mondays and Thursdays for over 11s and Tuesdays for those aged from eight to 11.

Since the unit opened in November, village businesses have noticed a reduction in vandalism which local police have attributed to the project.

The two officers have not needed to train that much outside of work because they spend a lot of their hours on duty cycling around the streets of Norton Canes.

Last year Pc Saunders ran to raise cash for the group but chose to do the cycle marathon this year because he has injured his knee.

He said: "We've not done extensive training.

"We bought bikes last year and me and my wife live quite close to the Chase so we regularly go cycling there.

"A lot of Norton residents know we are on push-bikes so I guess we're out training the whole of the week."

To sponsor call the Police Station on 08453 302010.