West Lancs police officers take on 12 mile hardcore obstacle course for charity

Jan 3 2013 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

TWO West Lancs police officers took a break from fighting crime – to tackle a 12-mile hardcore obstacle course for charity.

West Lancs co-ordinator Sgt Paul Bamber and Det Insp Graham Hill, from the public protection unit, in Ormskirk, decided to take on the “Tough Mudder” challenge in Cholmondeley, Cheshire, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event, dubbed the “toughest event on the planet”, saw the pair take on 12 miles of cross- country running through mud and 26 obstacles designed by British Special forces, including 10,000-volt electric fields, water-filled tunnels, climbing walls and ice pools.

After successfully completing the event, Sgt Bamber said: “It was awesome. I’ve been busy this year trying to improve my fitness, having done my first 10k race, first triathlon and a 14,000ft parachute jump in May.

“ I have to say, though, this was the toughest of the lot. We knew it would be difficult so decided to go about raising some money for Macmillan, which is a great charity.

“The hardest part for me was going under the barrels in ice-cold water. It was like a brain- freeze and quite painful.

“But my everlasting memory will be of Graham getting an electric shock and falling flat on his face in the mud – it was worth the entrance fee alone!”

Det Insp Hill said: “It was extremely tough, especially when I got knocked out by an electric shock to the face and Paul ran past me in hysterics. It was a fantastic experience and an achievement I am really proud of.”

The pair have so far raised more than £1,200 through their Justgiving website for the charity, and are already targeting further challenges next year – having signed up for Southport’s Extreme Storm event in April.

To sponsor the pair, visit bit.ly/UEzaer