Charity walk up Marsden steps for PC Hughes

Charity walk up Marsden steps for PC Hughes

Volunteers and supporters have taken part in a charity walk up the infamous Marsden steps in order to raise money for the North Pole Marathon in memory of PC Nicola Hughes.

The event took place on Saturday (3 August) with Dariusz Wietecha from Rochdale taking part along with many others.

Those taking part were challenged to walk up all 168 steps 25 times in three hours.

PC Nicola Hughes’ father, Bryn Hughes, and his two friends Rob Stapleton and Mark Sharples, regularly train on the steps near Butterley Reservoir in order to increase their physical fitness in preparation for the North Pole race.

They decided to invite friends and family to join them on a training day up and down the steps in order to raise money for the event.

The 4,200 step challenge is said to equal walking up and down the Empire State building in New York 2.5 times, and a total of more than £1,300 was raised.

Bryn Hughes said: “I am deeply touched and humbled so many people gave up their time to take part in the challenge.”

“To complete all 25 uphill and downhill climbs on the steps is marvellous.”

The PC Nicola Hughes North Pole Marathon is raising money for Victim Support, COPS (Care of police survivors), and the North West Police Benevolent Fund.

Nicola studied social sciences at Huddersfield University before she joined Greater Manchester Police.

She and her colleague Fiona Bone were murdered after attending what appeared to be a routine burglary call.