A TEAM of police officers from Basingstoke are gearing up to embark on a cross-Channel challenge to raise money for BBC Children in Need.

On November 13, the team of six officers and support staff are cycling from Alençon Police Station in France – Basingstoke’s twin town – to Caen.

They will then board a ferry bound for Ports-mouth where on Friday, November 14 – Children in Need day – they will run the remainder of the journey, snaking through Hampshire, to finally reach Basingstoke police station.

Officers from across Hampshire Constabulary will also be getting involved to support the challenge, and Chief Constable Andy Marsh is expected to don his running kit to support the team.

Detective Constable Rod Kenny, one of the organisers, said: “There is a history of officers completing various challenges at Basingstoke for Children in Need, so we thought we’d go big this year and push ourselves to the limit.

“This is going to be a gruelling challenge which will see us cycle 120km as a team before embarking on a relay run in pairs from Portsmouth to Basingstoke. We will all run about 16 miles each.

“We’d love to raise as much money as possible through this event and would encourage people to come out and support us on the day.

“We’ll be running through a big chunk of Hampshire, so please come out and give us a wave!”

To make a donation, visit justgiving.com/basingstokecops.