Merton police officers raise thousands for charity in overnight London to Brighton ride

A group of 10 police officers and the girlfriend of an officer cycled 107km through the night after a series of night shifts from London to Brighton.

The dedicated team based at Wimbledon station in Queens Road have raised about £4,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in sponsorship and donations.

A personal target was beaten by PC Simon Notridge who had his legs waxed as an additional fundraiser.

The team set off from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London at 11pm on Saturday, September 20, and passed through Clapham and Mitcham before heading south through Caterham and Haywards Heath.

Ready to go.

The riders took between nine and eleven hours to complete the route before getting a welcome lift back to Merton afterwards.

PC Gemma Armstrong said: "London to Mitcham was fine because it was flat but we got to Surrey and it was very hilly and not lit.

"The lack of sleep was the problem and we hadn’t slept much beforehand because we were on night shifts and stressing about getting things ready."

Merton's borough commander Chief Superintendent Stuart Macleod pitched in with £11 for the team.

Chief Supt Macleod said: "This was a fabulous effort by all those offers from B team who took part.

"They can be justifiably proud of completing the challenge and raising over £4,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process.

"I know that their team spirit and the fear of letting their colleagues down kept them going when things got tough for one or two of them.

"Very well done to every single one of them."

The event was the first annual Challenge Cancer London to Brighton Cycle Ride, with over 1,000 riders estimated to have taken part.

To sponsor them, visit the website.