Officers from Gwent Police's Armed Response Unit have set themselves the gruelling challenge of running 170 miles from London to South Wales to raise money for The Joshua Foundation, a locally based charity which raises money to give children with terminal cancer an experience of a lifetime.

The team of 7 officers will start their journey at 9am on Tuesday July 7th at Scotland Yard and hope to arrive at Gwent Police Headquarters, Cwmbran by midday on Wednesday 8th July.

Officers will be running individually in a relay throughout the day and night. A number of support/safety vehicles will accompany the runners during the challenge.

The route the officers are taking will start at Scotland Yard, taking the A4 out of London, passing through Slough, Maidenhead, Reading, Newbury and Chippenham. They will continue on the A420 towards Castle Combe, over the Severn Bridge and ending up on the A48 at Chepstow for the final leg.

The officers have been training hard over the last 4 months and have taken part in a number of team training days covering various distances.

PC Kevin Maddox co-ordinating the fundraiser said:

"I, and all the other officers taking part are really looking forward to this challenge. We have set ourselves a tough target, it will test us both physically and mentally but knowing that we are doing it for such a worthy cause will definitely spur us on when the going gets tough."

The officers involved would like to thank all those individuals and companies who have given their support. You can find out more about the event and pledge to sponsor the officers by visiting www.policecharityevent.com