Domestic abuse charity 'overwhelmed' by police Great Eastern Run fundraiser
A 32-strong team from Cambridgeshire Police is taking on the course in Peterborough
A police officer believes taking to the streets of Peterborough for this year's Great Eastern Run can help people fleeing domestic abuse.
Sergeant Ollie Plant will be one of the thousands of runners taking on the 13.1-mile route along the city's streets today, in one of Peterborough's biggest events of the year.
Ollie, one member of a 32-strong crew taking on the course, is running for Peterborough Women's Aid which supports women and children fleeing high risk domestic abuse with accommodation, guidance and advice.
On its website, Peterborough Women's Aid has eight self-contained rooms for women and their children along with communal areas and facilities, supporting around 31 women survivors and 50 children per year.
Fundraising is 'game-changing' for charity
"I'd never say I'm a runner, but I very much enjoy running getting out and about and I find to stay motivated and keep training, I've got to make sure I sign up to events and have something to work towards," he said.
"It's a great social activity and beneficial for mental health.
"I think we've raised approximately £5,000, which from speaking to Peterborough Women's Aid, would be game-changing to have such a huge amount of money, from one to one counselling sessions with survivors of domestic abuse to supporting the refuges they have."
Several road closures will be in place in Peterborough throughout the day, with some roads due to reopen at different times.
'Fabulous atmosphere'
Amanda Geraghty, CEO of Peterborough Women's Aid, said the charity is "overwhelmed by the number of Cambridgeshire Constabulary officers who are running for our charity at the Great Eastern Run.
“It should be a fabulous atmosphere, and we would encourage anyone who can, to come along on the day.”
Event organisers are expecting more than 5,000 runners to take part in the run.
Ollie, who's hoping to finish the course in around two hours, hopes events like these can get more people involved in running.
“We’ve been focussed on slowly building up the distance and adding in a few inclines to really test ourselves," he added.
"I think for people looking to get fit, it massively helps to have a goal to work towards and I think there's a whole range of benefits you can get physically and mentally from getting out and about running.
"And if you can get those benefits whilst raising some money for a great cause, it's certainly worth doing."