Taking on 160km trail in 24 hours for sick kids

Two police officers from the Moreton Bay Region will next week set out to complete the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, the longest in Australia, in just 24 hours.

Senior Constable Dane Britton, from Petrie Police Station and Senior Constable Ryan Cole, of Caboolture Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), each have personal reasons for taking on the 160km trail on Saturday, September 12.

Not a fun run is their way of thanking the medical profession and raising money for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, which funds life-saving medical research and new equipment for the state’s sickest children.

The duo will have back-up along the route, from Tarraman to Ipswich, and be joined by Senior Constable Matt Powell, from the Fortitude Valley Bike Squad, who will be cycling.

Little warriors

“Not a Fun run is raising awareness and bringing the community together in support of our strongest little warriors,” Dane says.

“It’s a way to say thank you to those who cared for my own nephew who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma – an aggressive and terminal childhood cancer.”

Thankfully and against all odds, Dane’s nephew became the first child of his age in Australia to survive.

“I didn’t how to say thank you, but I think having the goal of raising $10,000 for the foundation is on the right track,” Dane says.

Jumped on board

Ryan Cole had never met Dane when he first saw his plan for the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail on foot. But the idea struck a chord.

“I volunteered for it,” says Ryan, “I saw it pop up a year ago and contacted Dane. He told me about it and I jumped on board as my daughters have been treated in hospital.

“Because of our shifts, Dane and I have only trained together five times, three of them recently and the last one at the weekend. The thought of it does scare me. Some people think I am crazy, but the appeal was doing something which would push me to the limit.

“I’ve done a lot of research on ultra-marathons. It is a physical challenge, but when it’s dark and we’re tired and hungry it will be a mental challenge as well.”

Both have been training all hours, day and night. “Sometimes I am running from 2am-5am and then race home to get the kids ready for school,” Dane says.

Fantastic support

Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO Rosie Simpson is full of praise for the officers.

“What these police officers are undertaking is a tremendous effort to help improve the lives of Queensland’s sickest kids, and we feel incredibly privileged that they chose to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation,” Ms Simpson says.

“We simply couldn’t do what we do without the support of people like Dane, Matt and Ryan. I implore Queenslanders to get behind their cause and help motivate them to give this extraordinary fun run all they’ve got.”

Follow their progress on the Not a fun run Facebook page

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