CHARITY
BIG IDEAS MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE
PC Geoff Speak is taking on his second epic fundraising challenge, after he successfully raised thousands of pounds for a cancer charity in October 2019. “The idea of raising money for charities came about after I was walking through Tesco one evening,” says Geoff. “A young girl came over and said, ‘Hello Mr Police Officer, I am getting some cakes.’ I asked if it was her birthday and she said no, it was to celebrate that she was cancer free.”
“When I asked her parents how they
mentally dealt with knowing that her cancer could come back, they simply said, ‘We’re just happy we have more time together.’
“Hearing those words did something
to me and I was touched. I decided in that moment that I wanted to do something to help those who might need that little bit of extra support in tough times. Alongside two colleagues, I created Operation Pulled Pork – pulling a police car 10 miles around the Great South Run to raise
A Hampshire Police officer is taking on a Spartan task to raise money and awareness for Autism Hampshire
Hampshire affected by autism and I’m keen to show that there is support, while helping to raise awareness and funds.
Autism Hampshire provide this support and resources to people and their families to help give them opportunities and achieve more.” The Spartan Trifecta is a
“We have so many police families in Hampshire affected by autism and I’m keen to show there is support, while raising awareness and funds”
money for Children with Cancer. With great determination, we pulled it off and raised over £10,000 for the charity. But I wasn’t done.”
Geoff realised that by taking on these endeavours, he was contributing to giving people more time together when they most need it, he set about planning his upcoming adventure – the Spartan Trifecta. This time, Geoff chose to raise money for Autism Hampshire, a charity close to his heart. “Autism affects so many people in such a broad way, sometimes making seemingly simple tasks almost insurmountable for the affected people. My dad, brother and nephew are all autistic and there is a very high chance that we will all know someone who has autism. “We have so many police families in
38 | POLICE | OCTOBER 2022
series of tough obstacle races of 5km, 10km and 21km. Each stage is usually undertaken at different times throughout a year. However, Geoff plans to complete all three in one weekend – and he plans to undertake them while wearing around 14kg of police riot gear and a stab vest. Geoff is training hard for the challenge, which is scheduled to take place on 8-9 October.
He says: “If there is something that I can do to help someone and provide a service for them, then I am going to do it. I hope that everything I am doing is helping these charities to provide more time for people who need it. If I can do something to help a grandparent meet their grandchild, or to give a family more time together, then it fits my eudemonia
and sense of doing what’s right. “Next year I want to try and break a Guinness World Record with the most weight lifted in kettlebells to raise money for Cancer Research UK, so stay tuned for that. If you can donate anything, even just the price of a coffee, then I would be so appreciative. It helps make all my stupid ideas count!”
You can donate to Geoff’s charity challenge here:
www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/Spartanriot and get updates and videos by searching Instagram or Facebook for @
average.geoff or #SPARTANRIOT
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