Police officers from Derry City & Strabane swapped their work boots for their trainers recently to raise funds for a local non-profit organisation supporting people recovering from addiction and substance misuse.
Officers from Ballyarnett Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) raised £543 for Addiction Recovery Coaching (ARC Fitness) by completing the Team Relay as part of the recent Belfast Marathon. Five of the officers did the Relay while another two officers completed the eight-mile walk event.
Ballyarnett NPT Sergeant Pete Johnston said: "ARC works to assist those struggling with addiction, and have assisted many of the people we used to deal with regularly. Far too often police officers see at first hand the impact of the sale, supply and use of illicit drugs and the harm caused, not just on the individual themselves but also on their family and community. Tackling this issue is a priority for police in Derry City & Strabane, however, a criminal justice approach alone does not have all the answers, which is why working with partners and other organisations to break the cycle of offending is so important."
In total, Ballyarnett officers have raised close to £2,600 for ARC Fitness. Last year, they raised £705 by completing a charity coastal walk. In 2023, 10 Ballyarnett officers completed the Belfast Marathon relay, fundraising £1,355 for ARC.
In 2022, they secured match funding, along with Derry & Strabane Policing and Safety Community Partnership (PCSP), for a pilot programme with ARC Fitness to enable officers to make referrals to them.
Sergeant Johnston added: "We hope the funds raised will make a real and lasting difference to those in need of help. The work of ARC Fitness is charging lives so thank you to everyone who supported us for this great cause."
Gary Rutherford, founder of ARC Fitness, says ARC helps those in need of support improve their mental and physical wellbeing though physical activity, professional support and re-connection with the community.
"ARC Fitness is a community-based organisation that supports hundreds of people every year, says Gary. "We can only do this through fundraising and the generosity of our supporters and organisations, such as PSNI, so we are extremely grateful to the officers for running the Team Relay. Funds raised allow us to deliver free programmes for people who need them the most. We remove the financial barriers to treatment and support so it means a lot not, just to us but also to the people who need the support."