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Friend Runs Great North Run in Memory of Fallen Officer
By Drooid · · How we work
The A66 Crash and Its Human Toll
Last month, a car travelling the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough struck a Cleveland Police patrol vehicle, killing PC Matthew Blades, 37, PC Tom Clough and five young men – seven fatalities in total. The incident prompted a public appeal that has raised more than £1.2 million for the families of the victims.
Daragh Burke Steps In for the Race
Daragh Burke, a 37-year-old from Guisborough and a friend of PC Blades for over three decades, will run the Great North Run in the officer’s place. Burke, who trained for only two weeks, will start just behind the elite field and wear the Parkinson’s UK vest that Blades intended to carry.
Fundraising Impact and Community Response
Blades had been raising money for Parkinson’s UK, motivated by his step-mother’s diagnosis. The Great North Run, a 13.1-mile half-marathon, will serve as the final leg of his fundraising series, which previously included a Newcastle-to-South Shields run. The public appeal’s £1.2 million total reflects a broad outpouring of grief and respect for the fallen officers.
Official Statements & Responses
Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation, noted the “outpouring of grief and respect” for PC Blades and PC Clough and highlighted the community’s generosity in supporting the families. The appeal’s success underscores the solidarity shown by residents and fellow officers alike.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I just wanted to make sure that his vest makes it over the finish line.” — Guisborough — Guisborough