A POLICE inspector has raised enough money to keep Southend’s SOS bus in fuel for a year.
Insp Leigh Norris, of Southend police, took part in the gruelling Ironman Wales Challenge to support the cause.
He completed a 2.4-mile sea swim, a 112- mile bike ride and a marathon in just 13 hours and 13 minutes.
He raised £1,040 for the SOS bus. The bus parks in Southend High Street every weekend to provide help to anyone who is a bit worse for wear.
Insp Norris said: “My Operation Magpie teams that work Friday and Saturday evenings in the town centre have a really good relationship with the bus staff.
“They are quite an integral part now of the services available for people going out in the town centre at the weekend, because of the high volume of people they speak to. They provide First Aid and counselling for people that might be a little bit distressed.
“That obviously reduces the need for people to go to the ambulance service, so it saves money there.”
A lot of local entrepreneurs and businesses have pledged money.
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