There was snow, rain, hail, biting winds and some sunshine but the weather didn’t stop three runners completing the Royal Parks virtual half marathon and raising £905 between them to help children harmed by crime.

Royal Military Police officers and brothers Dan and Mark Shapland crossed the finishing line together in an amazing 1hr 45 mins and 31 seconds! Their father Kevin Shapland is Embrace’s treasurer and secretary.

Fellow Embrace supporter Jim Adams, head chef of the Oliver Cromwell pub in St Ives, Cam-bridgeshire also pulled on his running shoes to complete the challenge for Embrace.

He said: “I wanted to raise as much money and awareness as possible for Embrace. I know how important the charity is to the people it helps. After I took part in the Everest Base Camp Trek I was stopped in the street in my home town by someone the charity had directly helped, and she explained how much Embrace had such an important impact on their life, it was emotional and tear jerking. To be able to help Embrace continue to better lives I will always continue to fund raise in as many ways as possible.”

Anne Campbell, chief executive of Embrace Child Victims of Crime, said: “The past year has been particularly hard for charities such as ours because it has limited the opportunities we have had to raise much needed funds to provide our services. We are so grateful to all our individual supporters that take up challenges on our behalf. Every pound raised goes directly to help children and young people harmed by crime.

For more details on ways you can support Embrace visit www.embracecvco.org.uk/ events To find out more about Embrace CVOC visit www.embracecvoc.org.uk.

If you have any questions about Embrace CVOC you can email info@embracecvoc.org.uk or call 0345 60 999 60.