Police officer completes six marathons in memory of his mother

AN officer from Surrey Police has completed a series of gruelling challenges to raise money for a mental health service charity.

- By LAUREN COLE-LOMAS

Investigating Officer Chris Searle was spurred on to run half marathons, marathons and an ultra marathon in memory of his late mother, Debbie, to celebrate her 60th birthday.

Chris was just 20 when his mother took her own life in 2011 after a long battle with her mental health. Seeing first-hand how vital free mental health support is, Chris chose the Mary Frances Trust, based in Leatherhead, as the cause for his fundraising.

The Mary Frances Trust supports adults aged 16 upwards living in Mole Valley, Epsom and Ewell, Banstead, and Elmbridge with one-to-one sessions, crisis management, and activities and courses. Most importantly, those in need of support from Mary Frances Trust can self-refer without a wait list.

Chris undertook six challenges, starting locally, then travelled to America to participate in the Austin, Texas marathon.

Getting off to a good start, Chris smashed the Dorney Lake half marathon, around 21 kilometres, with personal bests, and breezed the Surrey half marathon, where friends and colleagues cheered him on.

Chris returned to his mother's home town, Leicester, to complete the half marathon, during which he made five personal bests in total at 10, 15 and 20 kilometres.