Police officers from Derry City & Strabane swapped their work boots for trainers on 3 May to complete the scenic challenge in aid of Addiction Recovery Coaching (ARC Fitness), a local non-profit that supports people in recovery from substance misuse.

Ballyarnett NPT Sergeant Pete Johnston said: "ARC works to change the lives of those struggling with addiction, and the organisation has helped so many people we have made referrals to."

He added: "As police officers, we see all too often the harm caused from the sale, supply and use of illicit drugs – the harm on the person themselves and 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."

Over recent years, Ballyarnett officers have raised close to £4,000 for ARC Fitness, including lacing up for the Belfast Marathon and other coastal charity walks. In 2022, they also secured match funding with the Derry & Strabane Policing and Safety Community Partnership (PCSP) for a pilot referral programme with ARC, enabling officers to signpost people directly to the service. 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 life-changing, and we are delighted to be able to help out, and I want to thank everyone who supported us for this great cause."

Gary Rutherford, founder of ARC Fitness, said the organisation supports people impacted by substance use and addiction to enter recovery and improve mental and physical wellbeing through physical activity, professional support, education and community reconnection.

"We are absolutely delighted to, yet again, be supported by the Ballyarnett team. Any of the monies donated goes directly into the delivery of frontline services for people who are struggling with substance use and addiction and their families," explained Gary.

"It means a lot, as a community-based organisation, and it will go a long way to helping those in need. It goes towards the cost of putting someone through an addiction recovery programme, or specific one-to-one addiction recovery work and family support work, so it will directly support an individual from crisis right through to hope.

"It's massively life-changing. We are really privileged to watch people come from a place of crisis and feeling hopeless, to coming out the other side, getting back into employment, into education, rebuilding families and relationships. It's a really beautiful thing to watch.

"Addiction is a societal problem, but when you help someone who struggling with addiction enter recovery, the ripple effects of that to the wider circle, benefits everyone."