A West Yorkshire Police officer has committed to running more than 2,200 kilometres in 2026 to raise money for Thin Blue Line UK, a charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of police officers across the country.

Joe, who currently serves with West Yorkshire Police, has set himself the ambitious target of completing 2,226 km in a single year — the equivalent of running from Leeds to North Africa. The challenge works out at roughly 6 km every day, though Joe has also scheduled a demanding calendar of official events to give himself flexibility for illness, injuries, and unavoidable rest days. His plan includes multiple 10Ks, half marathons, four full marathons, and training towards his first ultra‑marathon.

Joe says, “The reality is I don’t know how to write this without it sounding dramatic, so I’ll just say it. There has been too much unnecessary death lately. The environment we work in is constantly stressful, and the emotional toll is massive. We are in a constant state of pressure, and recently we have been struck by tragedy too often. The helplessness and anger that comes with losing colleagues is profound. Seeing the families left without answers and the children left behind is something you don't get used to. We need to talk more openly. We need to look out for each other”.

Remarkably, Joe admits he doesn’t even enjoy running. In early 2025, he simply set out to look after his own wellbeing and lose weight. Since then, he has shed four stone, discovered a new level of resilience, and found motivation in a sense of purpose rather than personal achievement. Joe has explained that running for a cause — rather than just for himself — is what will keep him going when the challenge becomes overwhelming. “If I run for myself, I might quit”, he explains. “But if I run for my colleagues, for this charity, and for everyone supporting me — I won’t”.

Every kilometre Joe completes in 2026 will raise funds for Thin Blue Line UK, helping the organisation continue its work supporting officers struggling with trauma, stress, and the cumulative impact of policing. The charity says Joe’s challenge highlights the growing need to prioritise mental wellbeing within the police service, especially as demand increases and pressures on frontline staff continue to mount.

Joe acknowledges the year‑long challenge will be far from easy and expects setbacks along the way, but he remains committed to completing the full distance. “Whether I run, walk, or crawl — I’m seeing this through,” Joe says.

Jack, a Trustee from Thin Blue Line UK, says, “We would really encourage the whole thin blue line family to get behind Joe and the incredible challenge he has set himself. As a charity, we receive no government funding and are totally reliant on the amazing work of our fundraisers like Joe. We know that Joe is running following the loss of a close colleague, and our hearts truly go out to Joe and all of our West Yorkshire Police colleagues at this tragic time. We would like to remind anyone who reads this article that we are here to support colleagues across the UK with positive mental health and wellbeing. You can reach out to us at any time, and we are always happy to help any officer, whether serving or retired”.

Please get behind Joe and donate towards his incredible challenge if you can. You can donate by clicking HERE.

You can also keep up to date with Joe’s journey, which he is tracking on his dedicated Facebook page, by clicking HERE.

At Thin Blue Line UK, we’re here to support you. Whether you need someone to talk to, guidance on where to find help, or tools to manage your wellbeing, we’ve got you covered.

You can do this easily by reaching out to us online via our website. We offer free, fully funded access to our THRIVE Mental Health & Wellbeing App, which includes:

💝 Wellbeing advice and videos to guide you through difficult moments.

📲 24/7 online access to professional counsellors.

You can access the confidential and free support we provide by clicking HERE.