Spread the news: Essex officers raise £15,000 for charity

ESSEX police officers have raised nearly £15,000 for a children’s cancer charity after they ran a half marathon.

Nineteen officers from the force (pictured) flew to New York to raise money as part of ‘Jack’s Pack’ – Police Against Cancer in Kids.

The charity was set up eight years ago to help Jack Brown, the son of Met officers Det Insp Yvonne Brown and Det Sgt Richard Brown, who developed the childhood cancer Neuroblastoma.

Sadly Jack died five years ago but the foundation continues to help more than 100 children who are affected by the disease every year in the UK.

The team ran a half Marathon around Central Park, took part in a 5km memorial run in tribute to a New York police officer and also went to JFK airport to pull an Airbus airliner in teams of 12 against other law enforcement agencies.

The Essex officers, who went to New York in May at their own expense, raised a total of £14,750.

The Essex team was organised by Southend-based Sgt Carl Habbershaw who said: “I became involved in this charity when the trip to New York was brought to my attention in 2012. It’s such a worthy cause to be involved with and particularly having young children, the J-A-C-K charity is one that really struck a chord. The work that is being done is incredible and much needed if a cure is to be found for it.”

The charity was set up by Met PC Mark Edwards, who said: “We are so very grateful for the support and assistance we receive from our colleagues and friends in Essex Police. I cannot think of another set of circumstances where our two organisations have come together like this for fund-raising. I have to pay tribute to all the Essex Officers who have joined us over the last few years and have raised many thousands for the charity.”

He added: “The events this year were a huge success and we are already planning for next year’s visit to New York when we will have space for a team of 104.”