Brave police officer Claire steps out for new fundraising challenge
A brave police officer who was run over by a drug dealer, breaking both her legs, is to take on a new fundraising challenge in aid of mental health charity Mind.
Pc Claire Bond’s life was turned upside down when she was mown down in September 2018, as she tried to stop disqualified driver Gurajdeep Malhi from driving into runners taking part in the Stafford 10K while she was on duty.
Pc Bond was crushed against a fence, which broke both her legs, and then run over while she was on the ground unable to move, suffered life-changing injuries.
Although she does not expects to return to frontline duties, Claire did return to work at Staffordshire Police on April 1 this year – with a new role in the training department.
And this month she will take on a new fundraising challenge – by walking 10km over 10 days to raise cash for MIND.
Through a JustGiving page, Claire has set a fundraising target of £1,000 – and has already raised more than £400.
Her challenge will start on Sunday and will see her walk 1km a day around Staffordshire with people who she says “have influenced, shaped and pretty much dragged me through these last two years”.
Claire said: “I was run over while on duty at the Stafford 10k on September 23, 2018 and I suffered quite a few injuries.
"Obviously, for the remainder of 2018 and most of 2019, I was undergoing physiotherapy and trying to recover.
"I wanted to take part in the 2019 Stafford 10k, so I roped in my husband Darren and my friend and partner at the time, Pc Dave Mullins.
"They ran the whole 10k while I walked the last 1k using my walking stick.
"This year, as there are no runs or fundraising with everything going on, charities have lost out on money they rely on.
"I said to Darren, 'should I do the Stafford 10k myself?', and he suggested breaking it down – so instead I will do 10 1km walks.”
During her challenge, Claire will be joined on walks by the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, John Acres from BBC Radio Stoke and the High Sheriff.
Her last walk, on September 23, will be the last 1km she completed last year in the Stafford 10k.
On choosing MIND, Claire added: “These last six months have been unprecedented and a first for us all, and I think this may well be the nation’s 'annus horribilis'.
"I worry about our mental health, our children who have missed school, or who have been left distraught over their exams.
"All who have no job to return to or businesses to continue building, those whose anxieties have gone through the roof and those who have become secluded and have no one to turn to and those who have lost their lives, leaving behind families with immense grief.
"Together, we can raise some money and in particular awareness that could make that difference to someone we know or a complete stranger just by giving.”
Malhi was jailed for 12 years and nine months in September 2019. He was also handed a nine year driving ban after pleading guilty at previous hearings to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to resist arrest, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
To donate to Claire’s fundraising challenge for MIND, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/claire-bond953
