Uniform to activewear: Merseyside Police CSO breaks a sweat for The Brain Charity

Funds raised by the PSCO will go directly to The Brain Charity set up by The Walton Centre.

In a daring personal challenge, James Bourne, a Merseyside Police CSO, has set himself just 60 days to train for a triathlon and raise funds for The Brain Trust Charity.

The Brain Charity was set up 30 years ago by doctors at The Walton Centre, Liverpool, who saw the need for better community support for people affected by neurological conditions. To mark their 30^th year, the charity is aiming to raise a whopping £30,000.

James admits that training for the triathlon, due to take place on 21^st of May, has been tough on him.

James said:

“I haven’t run in nearly a year, swum in three years, or been on a bike in months. My job as a PCSO means lots of walking the streets day to day (20-25K steps a day), which keeps me healthy, and in the past I’ve run everything from 5ks to Ultimate Marathons, but always with lots of time to prepare. And I’ve actually found running the hardest to get back into.

“Running a hundred yards and being out of breath has been soul destroying. I’ve only given myself 60 days to train. Honestly, I’ve been wondering whether I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, especially now I’ve told all my colleagues in-force – I really am committed to it!

“Through my work as a PCSO, and personal experience within my own family, I’ve gotten to know a lot about the awesome work The Brain Charity do, and personal and professional have actually had some overlap. My son has autism and my wife has ADHD and dyspraxia, so the fantastic staff and support that they offer is really important to me.

“Because I’ve been around the charity a lot, I’ve gotten to know the other people who access it. Usually some of those people wouldn’t be ones to engage with the police, but because they know me they’ll stop me in the street and chat.

“Everyone’s been really supportive (although my sergeants can’t believe I’m planning to come into work afterwards). As a PCSO you meet people every day who are living with huge challenges.

“Organisations like The Brain Charity are a life-line for them. My goal might only be to raise a hundred quid, but if it gets them closer to that £30,000 which I know is going to make such a big difference to people, then this pain will be worth it.”

James will be competing in the triathlon in Southport with family and friends on the side-lines to cheer him on.