Marathon Martin completes ninth run in the pouring rain and sets new personal best time

PC Martin Anderson, who responds to 999 calls across Dacorum, is putting his body to the test to raise thousands of pounds for Rennie Grove Hospice Care.

The charity’s nurses helped fulfil his mother’s wish to die at home following a battle against gall bladder cancer.

Martin headed out in the pouring rain last Friday to complete his ninth marathon and he knocked 12 minutes off his personal best time so far.

Donations to his Just Giving page - www.justgiving.com/marathonsformum2015 - have reached almost £2,000.

The gruelling running challenge began on April 1, which would have been mum Sylvia Blake’s 70th birthday, and will finish on April 30 next year - the three year anniversary of her death.

Dacorum’s Chief Inspector Doug Black said: “The challenge that Martin has taken on is admirable, if a little crazy!

“Our police officers work tirelessly to protect the community of Dacorum on a daily basis and Martin, who often works nights, has dedicated himself to fitting in a marathon a week on top of these tiring shifts.

“I’m immensely proud of him.”

Martin, who is seeking corporate sponsors to cover the cost of entering commercial marathons, is hosting a fundraising music event for the hospice at Olly’s Bar in Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, on Sunday, June 28 from 1pm to 8pm. Tickets cost £5. Visit Martin’s Facebook page called Marathons for Mum 2015.