Some 87 kilometres and around 170,000 steps later, Mark Marshallsay has completed his 24-hour treadmill challenge in aid of the Police Treatment Centres.
The General Secretary of BTP Federation is a trustee of the charity which provides police-specific treatment and support for mental and physical injuries, helping officers recover and return to work sooner.
Mark's challenge comes ahead of the Police Treatment Centres' spring fundraiser, The Big Step Challenge. He began walking at 10am on Wednesday 3 May at the charity's centre in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. A second treadmill was set up alongside him so patients and guests could join in.
Mark said: "The high point was the support shown by other officers, centre staff and Federation reps who walked with me at times throughout the challenge. The lows came in the early hours of Thursday when I hit the wall and questioned myself as to why I was doing this.
"It was just a case of head down and plough through, thinking of all the donations already given. The centre is amazing and does brilliant work with injured officers, but this comes at a cost."
As 10am on Thursday 4 May approached, staff, officers and visitors began a countdown. Mark, who suffered from blisters on his feet and had his ankles taped during the night for extra support, described feeling "elated and relieved" when he finished the challenge.
So far Mark has raised more than £2500 for the Police Treatment Centres and that total continues to grow. Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-marshallsay-1678787667289.
Federation Secretary steps up to the challenge for police charity
