A community bobby has swapped his beat for a bike.
And he has set himself a gruelling charity cycle challenge.
You certainly cannot call Tony Slack, an Almondbury Police Community Support Officer, inactive after he set off on an impressive 960 mile trip from Lands End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in the Scottish Highlands to raise money for Kirkwood Hospice.
Tony, of Kirkheaton, wants to raise as much money as possible for the Dalton-based charity, to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of his father-in-law Brian Walker, who died at its centre.
He hopes that cycling to work every day, as well as riding around on two wheels as part of his duties will have helped him cope with the hills and inclement weather he may encounter as he heads further north.
Tony, 56, said: “I wanted to do something special to mark the occasion.
“We only live a mile away from Kirkwood but we never knew what an amazing place it was and what went on here until we came here with Brian.”
He and his wife Mandy, who has been a huge support in planning the challenge, will be funding all of the costs and expenses along the way.
It will be the second large-scale challenge that Tony has undertaken for the hospice, following his London Marathon effort in 2011.
“I find asking people for money quite hard, but Kirkwood Hospice is such a worthwhile charity that provides a much needed service.
“Anything that people can give will be greatly appreciated.”
People who would like to follow Tony’s progress can do so by going to Kirkwood Hospice’s Facebook page.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to his cause should visit www.justgiving.com/anthony-slack1 .
