A fundraiser will be stepping out of her comfort zone and taking on one of the world’s best marathons – all for COPS.
Julia Berry, a detention officer with the Metropolitan Police, will be running the Paris Marathon raising money for the charity.
The marathon, on 3 April, is a race through the city, passing many iconic sights such as Avenue des Champs-Elysees, and the Louvre.
Julia, no stranger to marathons admitted she was looking for something different, that would push and challenge her.
“I’ve done quite a lot of marathons in the past and so I’m always looking for something new, something I’ve never done,” she said.
“I saw the Paris Marathon and it thought why not. I’ve never ran abroad, and this is more of a runner’s race. If you don’t finish in a certain time, then you can’t complete it. You get picked up in a van and that is it – you’re done!”
Julia added: “I’m quietly confident I can complete it, but it will be a real challenge.
“I’m beyond nervous. It will definitely be something that pushes me out of my comfort zone, but I’m quite looking forward to that.”
Asked why she is raising money for COPS Julia said it is a charity extremely close to her heart.
“Having lost our much-loved Sgt Matt Ratana in September 2020, it really brings home how dangerous this job can be, even in custody,” she said.
“Police officers face dangerous situations every day, they pick up the pieces of people’s lives when they are at their worst, and police officers are the people that run towards danger to protect the public.
“It’s time to support police now, and make sure the family of those lost while on duty are supported – that’s what COPS does.”
To help Julia reach her goal of £1,000 go to justgiving.com/fundraising/julia-berry7
Pictured: Julia Berry (right) with TV presenter and model Nell McAndrew
