OFFICERS and staff members from Wiltshire Police are taking part in a special event to remember two colleagues who lost their lives after being targeted in a gun and grenade attack.

PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone were killed in Manchester last year.

The Run to Remember, which began on Sunday, is being done by officers and staff across the country to remember the pair. They will all attempt to run 250 miles each in 125 days.

Since their tragic deaths, the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund has been established by Nicola’s family. Her father, Bryn Hughes, has called on runners from police forces up and down the country to take part.

Hoping to get 10 people from each force to participate, the response has been tremendous with 35 from Wiltshire alone joining nearly 1,600 nationally. Each participant has signed up to run an average of two miles a day until April 4, agreeing to raise a minimum of £100 in the process.

Proceeds will go to Care of Police Survivors (COPS), Victim Support and the North West Police Benevolent Fund, the charities chosen by Nicola’s family.

PC Sarah Harnden, based in Swindon, has been in the police force for four years.

She said: “I decided to take part in this challenge as the death of the two girls last year really hit a nerve.

“The feelings were felt throughout the police community. The news was met with absolute disbelief and profound sadness.

“We come to work and although we know our job comes with risks I would say most of us go about our duties with the attitude it would never happen to me. Nicola and Fiona’s deaths brought home how it definitely could happen to any of us on any day at any job.

“The charities Bryn Hughes chose to support are the charities that helped him and his family at their time of loss and they continue to support him.

“I took this challenge on as I wanted to do my bit in showing him we cared.

“The actual distance in the time allotted isn’t too taxing as most of us are fairly fit, but the commitment over that length of time is.”

Chief Constable Pat Geenty said: “The tragic events of last September made us all draw breath and reflect on the dangers that come hand in hand with policing.

“Every day officers and staff bravely perform their role of protecting our communities in a professional and caring way.

“Never will this stop and never will we lose sight of the risks that will always exist.

“It’s great to see so many of our officers and staff involved in this event and I shall be encouraging them all the way.”