A POLICE officer who lost her mother to a careless driver plans to run the New York City marathon to help families bereaved through crime.
Sergeant Clare Kenward, who works in Sussex Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, will tackle the 26.2 mile event on Sunday November 6 in aid of the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund.
It was set up in memory of Greater Manchester Police officers Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were murdered while responding to a burglary in September 2012.
The fund supports children under 21 who have lost a close family member through violent crime.
Sgt Kenward was a young adult in 1986 when her mother was killed aged 47 in the road smash that also seriously injured her father.
She found herself taking care at home of her 14-year-old brother and maternal grandmother who was suffering with dementia.
Sgt Kenward said: "My other siblings, friends and family were very supportive. However, I can clearly remember really struggling to keep up with the laundry.
"I would hang out clothes to dry before going to work and then be incredibly stressed in the day if it rained, as I knew that no one would be able to get the washing in off the line. This would mean the school uniform and PE kit weren't ready for the next day.
"What made the difference was the generosity of our parents' friends and colleagues who raised some money to support us.
"In the early weeks this helped with food - I was on a low wage and my parents' accounts were locked down and not accessible- and later on with this money I was able to buy a tumble dryer.
"It is this type of assistance that the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Foundation can offer – real practical help along with training and psychological support.”
She has set out to raise £2,500 by running her first marathon, and said: "The barrier was knowing that it took a massive commitment of time and training, but as I read a little more about the charity, I was moved to take part and raise money for a cause that I felt so connected to."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here