Police inspector announces epic charity fundraiser

Jim Jones will be joined on his 24-hour charity challenge by police colleagues from Lancashire, Merseyside and Gibraltar

A police officer says he is aiming to scale two peaks and cross three countries, two continents, an ocean and a sea... all within 24 hours.

Insp Jim Jones, who works for Greater Manchester Police, is raising money for military veterans and former police officers who struggle with conditions like PTSD.

The 54-year-old, from Rawtenstall in Lancashire, will be joined on his epic quest by policing colleagues from Lancashire, Merseyside and Gibraltar.

"Lots of people have done the Three Peaks Challenge, which are really difficult, but we wanted to do something different," he said.

The team will be trying to climb the Rock of Gibraltar

The National Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, often within 24 hours.

Speaking about his own challenge, Mr Jones added: "We're doing it to raise money for military veterans and people who've served in the police that have really struggled due to service.

"Things like PTSD are so common in policing and the armed forces and often they don't reach out for support - they suffer in silence and unfortunately suicide rates are quite high.

"Police officers see the worst in society - they see trauma, they see abuse, they see death, they see serious injury, and they see violence that you wouldn't believe.

"And it affects some of them really badly long-term."

'Supporting veterans'

His team will begin the challenge at first light on 5 April, scaling Mount Jebel Musa in Morocco.

Once they have made it back down the mountain, they will be driven by coach to Tanger Med, where they will take a ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar - where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.

From the Spanish port of Tarifa, they will be driven to Gibraltar.

Mr Jones said they would then begin their ascent of the Rock of Gibraltar "and then we'll all collapse and finish".

The team hopes to raise £6,000 for three charities.

Walking With The Wounded supports veterans with physical, mental or social injuries, while Police Care UK provides practical, emotional, and financial support to police officers and their families.

The third charity to benefit will be the Royal Gibraltar Police Benevolent Fund.