POLICE officers went the extra mile to raise money for a cancer support charity.

Fifty response officers ran or walked from Burnley Police Station to Greenbank Police Station in Blackburn to raise money for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

Insp Andy Carter said the fundraiser started as a New Year fitness challenge but said he was hoping to raise £2,000.

Insp Carter said: “Originally we just thought of getting together and doing some fitness work for our own benefit.

“But then I thought about doing it for charity and making it worthwhile.

“I asked the team who we should do it for and most of them said Rosemere because most of them have had family and close friends affected by cancer.

“I contacted Rosemere and got a few buckets and banners and thought we would go around the police stations. One of my colleagues set up a Justgiving page and with the power of social media we raised £1,600 in two days.

“We all set off at different times and the idea was to finish together but because of the amount raised I think it inspired people to put that extra effort in and we had far quicker finishing times than I was expecting.

“The team didn’t have to do it. But pretty much everybody who was available took part. It was a great show of solidarity which has been matched by the generosity of everybody who has donated.”

The officers who took part are based in Blackburn, Colne and Burnley. In total they completed 10.5miles, going along roads in Burnley, Padiham, Altham, Clayton-le-Moors, Rishton and Blackburn.

Rosemere Cancer Foundation supports world class cancer treatment in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Louise Grant, Rosemere fundraising coordinator, said: “It’s fantastic that so many officers gave up their free time to come together.”

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kaela-Peacock?utm_id=13