Lincolnshire Police sergeant takes on 48-mile ultra-marathon for charity

Sgt Mike Templeman is raising money for Brake - the road safety charity and RoadPeace - a charity for road crash victims

A Lincolnshire police officer is to run a 48-mile ultra-marathon in memory of the 48 people who died on the county's roads last year.

Sgt Mike Templeman, who is based in Gainsborough, will raise money for road safety charity Brake and RoadPeace, a charity for road crash victims.

The challenge will take place in Lincoln in November.

A Brake spokesperson sad the charity was "behind Mike for every step" of the "impressive challenge".

He also hopes to raise awareness of offences that contribute to a lot of "the needless deaths" on our roads

Sgt Templeman, who will be known to fans of the Channel 5 show Police Interceptors, said: "I have been a police officer for 21 years and during that time I have seen first-hand the devastation road fatalities inflict on the families and friends of those who have died."

He said as well as raising money, he hoped to raise awareness of offences that contribute to a lot of "the needless deaths" on our roads, including speed, mobile phones, seatbelts and drink/drug driving.

"If my challenge can help highlight these factors, that contribute towards so many fatal and serious injury collisions, then every mile will be worth it," he added.

Nick Simmons, chief executive of RoadPeace, said: "This challenge is just incredible and we cannot thank Sgt Templeman enough for his efforts to raise money for road crash victims and awareness about the harm caused by road crashes every day on our roads."

To complete his challenge, Sgt Templeman will need to run no fewer than 193 laps of a 400m track at Yarborough Leisure Centre in Lincoln.

The challenge takes place on Sunday 19 November, which marks the start of Road Safety Week.

Ross Moorlock, interim chief executive of Brake, said: "We're all so grateful to Sgt Templeman for taking on this impressive challenge and raising funds and awareness for Road Safety Week.

"This campaign is all about standing up and taking action against road death and injuries, and we're all behind Mike for every step and every lap."