PCC office’s Marathon runners get behind veterans charity

Describing it as the most amazing experience of their lives, two members of staff from the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner’s office have returned from London with marathon medals in hand.

Sharon Lister, Director of Performance and Compliance within the PCC’s staff team, and Head of Rehabilitation, Vicky Day, embarked on the gruelling training programme in late 2016, alongside raising funds for their chosen charity Walking With The Wounded.

Vicky, who completed the course in 4:50:59, said: “Working for the PCC office affords me the opportunity to work and engage with people who go the extra mile to help and improve the lives of others in our communities.

“I decided to go the extra 26.2 miles to support Walking With The Wounded after meeting some incredible servicemen and women who have, or are still overcoming, devastating physical and mental hurdles in life.

“I am, and will forever be, truly humbled by the London Marathon experience and the incredible support from family, friends, strangers and work colleagues who like me want to help make a difference.”

Finishing in 5:39:30, Sharon added: “After months of winter training, long solo runs on a Sunday morning when I really would have rather been in bed, blisters, lost toenails and giving up alcohol since New Year’s Eve, it all culminated in the most amazing experience of my life.

“It was a real honour to run as part of the Walking With The Wounded team and I would encourage everyone to look at the wonderful work they do to support our veterans and consider participating in one of their upcoming events.

“The experience really is life-changing and the sense of pride you feel for supporting what Walking With The Wounded do really has no words.”

PCC Lorne Green welcomed the first-time marathon runners back to the Wymondham-based office this week, saying: “I, and the whole of the PCC office team, couldn’t be more proud of Sharon and Vicky and what they’ve achieved.

“Their commitment, dedication and determination, so obvious in their public service to the Norfolk community through my office, meant they met this challenge head on. And that, along with their support for such a worthy cause, is to be admired.”

Andy Sloan, event manager for Walking With The Wounded, which supports veterans with physical, mental or social injuries in finding new careers outside of the military, said: “Sharon and Vicky epitomised our team of enthusiastic, dedicated and extremely generous runners who collectively have raised more than £49,000 to support ‘at risk’ veterans through our programmes and back into independence. Hats off to them."