TWO Kirklees detectives are ending a string of endurance efforts with a black tie charity ball.
Nick Doyle and Shaun Lewis have made a sky dive, twice completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks and gone on to finish the National Three Peaks 24-hour Challenge.
And to cap their Challenge 5000, in which they are aiming to smash the £5,000 target for local causes, they are hosting a black tie charity ball at Galpharm Stadium on December 15.
Sports fans won’t want to miss a chance to bid as iconic memorabilia and prizes go under the hammer.
Det Con Doyle said: “It all started when my father-in-law Stephen Parker died two days before I married my wife Danielle.
“He had been diagnosed with cancer and it was devastating.
“I just felt so helpless.
“After our honeymoon I thought about doing some fundraising for local good causes.
“I didn’t want to do just one event so I mentioned it to my mate Shaun and together we have done a string of events.
“I am not a runner, so I let him take on the Manchester Marathon and I did a 170-mile Coast to Coast bike ride.
“I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was 12, so it was a massive challenge to get training and then complete the Morecambe to Bridlington ride.
“Together we did the Yorkshire Three Peaks twice and then in July we went for the National Three Peaks 24 hour challenge and came in with 10 minutes to spare.
“We even had to run the last bit so it was tough going.”
But the duo, who are more familiar with the streets of Dewsbury and Huddersfield in their day jobs, also took to the skies to complete a charity sky dive.
Nick, 28, added: “I’m absolutely petrified of heights so that was the hardest one for me, without a doubt. And there was no training for it.”
Nick has chosen Cancer Research due to his father-in-law’s passing and Shaun, 41, has chosen Kirkwood Hospice which is now undergoing a £3m revamp.
They also have links with the Mirfield-based Hollybank Children’s Trust and will give a proportion to this charity.
Nick continued: “We initially set £5,000 as our target and with the ball we just want to make it a celebration night and raise as much money as possible for such good causes.”
The charity ball will also include an auction with prizes including a 1966 replica England shirt signed by Sir Geoff Hirst, donated by Gauntlet Insurance, Leeds, a promotion winning Huddersfield Town shirt and even tickets to Town v Crystal Palace on January 26, donated by Direct Voice and Data.
The event includes a champagne reception, three course meal, live entertainment and the charity auction.
For tickets at £50 per person, call 07843565874 or doylenj@hotmail.com
