Nine police officers pounded the streets of Islington to raise funds for a child bereavement charity last week.

The 10 mile run raised around �250 for Grief Encounter and was organised by Det Sgt Lily Benbow, who also works with the family liaison team.

She recently took part in a training session by the charity about supporting children and families following a serious crime to a close relative.

And after being so impressed with the charity, she promised to raise some funds for them through the run and recruited some fellow officers for the challenge via internal emails.

Det Sgt Benbow, who completed the run in one hour and 41 minutes, said: “It was fantastic, it was a really good day. It did hurt but we are already planning something else for next year.”

Shelley Gilbert, chief executive of the charity, said: “We are so grateful to the officers at Islington police station. Giving their time in this way is both extremely kind and selfless.”

Find out more about the charity at www.griefencounter.org.uk.