Bike-trek bobbies seeking sponsors
A pair of Staffordshire police officers are seeking more sponsorship for a 700-mile cycle ride.
Det Con Darrell Burns, based at Weston Road, Stafford, and Det Sgt Garry Helsby, based in Cannock, are looking to raise more than £6,000 for three charities by riding the Tour of Britain route.
The police's own national charity Child Victims of Crime, which provides support and awards for children whose lives have been shattered by violence, abuse and murder, will be one of the charities that will benefit.
The event will also raise money for Cancer Research UK and the national police convalescent home in Goring, Oxfordshire. Organisers of the Tour of Britain are supporting the intrepid duo and have provided cycling shirts emblazoned with their logo.
The first leg of the 12-day cycle ride starts on July 12 at Milton Keynes and ends in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, on July 23.
The detectives are giving up their free time to organise and take part in the event but are looking for a little help to get them on their way.
They are looking for people who would like to buy advertising space on their loaned support vehicle. The Citroen Synergie will have advertising panels available costing from £25 to £600.
The officers are prolific fundraisers.
Garry has cycled from the Himalayas to Haridwar in India, the 'ultimate challenge' in Borneo, climbing Mount Kinabalu, cycling across the Crocker Mountains and white water rafting down the Padas River and scuba diving in the South China Sea.
Darrell has cycled from Stafford to Land's End, Stafford to Paris, and 1,000 miles across Europe. They cycled 600 miles from Edinburgh to London on their last fundraising event netting more than £6,000 for charity.
Darrell said: "We are looking for businesses to advertise on our vehicle, as well as sponsorship for the event. We know the credit crunch is biting but every penny counts for these worthwhile charities.
"We are hoping that on each leg of the 12-day event local cyclists will join us to the end-of-day finishing line. They can help raise funds or just join us to support the event." Anyone who can offer any help is asked to contact Darrell on 07966 534318 or Garry on 07966 448918.
